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3rd December 2024
05:37pm GMT
An Irish man in Dubai could be facing several years in prison after being accused of sending "threatening emojis".
A post on the website Detained in Dubai explains that the man's name is Stuart Quiney and that he is 39 years of age and from Laragh in Wicklow.
The property developer is accused of sending the threatening emojis from Ireland to a Belgian acquaintance with whom he had a falling out.
In January 2022, Mr. Quiney accompanied a friend to Dubai to help him set up his new life and in the process, was introduced to a Belgian resident.
The Belgian assisted Mr. Quiney's friend in getting an apartment by providing a local ID.
Enjoying a break for the Irish winter, Mr. Quiney stayed with his friend for two months.
"The keen golfer and gardener had intended to return a week later to spend more time with his friend," Detained in Dubai said.
"He left some of his belongings in the apartment. While both he and his friend were away, the Belgian let himself into the place and removed all of their personal belongings without permission."
Mr. Quiney is said to have been "understandably upset" by this, as some of these belongings had great sentimental value - having been owned by his late grandmother.
He subsequently drafted multiple legal letters, which were reportedly "completely ignored".
“I came over in June last year and sent him a few messages, basically saying I wanted my things back or I would go to the police but I got no reply again," Mr. Quiney told Detained in Dubai.
After returning to Ireland, the Wicklow man learned that his other grandmother was suffering from dementia and was being moved into a home, news which 'hit him very hard".
Detained in Dubai said: "He dealt with the pain by drinking alcohol, something he only does once or twice a year.
"In a drunken state, he must have remembered the theft of his other grandmother’s gift, reached for his phone and sent some emojis (eg. ninja man and blood drop) to the Belgian.”
The Irish man recounted: “I very rarely drink so this is completely out of character for me. I’ve never been in trouble with the law."
At the time, Mr. Quiney did not think anything of the emojis when he booked his next flight to visit his friend in Dubai.
However, when he arrived on 6 September 2024, he was immediately taken into custody, transported to Al Barsha police station and told he could not leave the United Arab Emirates.
12 weeks later, Mr. Quiney is still stuck in Dubai and set to go in front of a prosecutor tomorrow.
"He has been advised that he could face several years in prison under strict laws that prohibit rude, offensive or threatening text messages, even if expressed sarcastically, jokingly between close friends or loved ones," Detained in Dubai said.
The Irish man's mother has been in touch with the accuser and they have both apologised, the website states.
However, the latter has reportedly said that he will not withdraw the case.
As such, Mr. Quiney is now relying on financial support from his family.
He also cannot work and is suffering "sleepless nights, sickness and extreme anxiety".
Both he and his family are reaching out to several Wicklow representatives, including Taoiseach Simon Harris, for help.
This is as Mr. Quiney prays "he gets home before Christmas".
Detained in Dubai have urged repeat visitors to the city to obtain a police check in advance of travel.
In a statement to JOE about Mr. Quiney, a spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said: "The Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of this case and is providing consular assistance.
"As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the details of individual cases."
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