Irish citizens detained in Cairo held for further 15 days

Four Irish citizens detained during unrest in Egypt last month have been told their period of detention has been extended for a further two weeks.

Omaima (21), Fatima (23), Soumaia (27) and their 17-year-old brother Ebraheem Halawa have been in custody since they were rounded up with scores of others after a stand-off between security forces and supporters of deposed president Mohamed Morsi at Cairo’s al-Fath mosque.

The siblings were informed on Saturday that they were being held for another 15 days pending completion of investigations.

Ebraheem was visited by a representative of the Irish Embassy in Cairo on Sunday. It is understood he has been given permission to see his sisters later this week. All four are said to be in good health.

Last month Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore expressed concern about media reports that four Irish citizens were being investigated for charges including attempted murder.