THE FAMILY OF a six-year-old boy kidnapped by his father and taken to Egypt is to meet with Government officials today in the hope of gaining support for his return.
In July 2009, then two-year-old Faris Heeney was dressed as a little girl and taken through Dublin airport on a false passport by his uncle Moustafa Ismaeli en route to Cairo where he has remained ever since.
Moustafa is now serving a six-year sentence in Portlaoise Prison for child abduction.
The Heeney family last week held a meeting with Egyptian diplomats in an attempt to secure his return but were disappointed with the outcome of their talks. They say that the Egyptian officials advised them to take a case against Faris’ father, Amir Ismaeil, in Egypt which they say could cost thousands of euro and take up to four years.
Norma Heeney, Faris’ mother, and her family will attend today’s meeting with Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald today as they say they have worried about Faris’ safety and want the Irish Government to begin extradition proceedings to bring him back.
‘We have grave concerns for Faris’ safety and we are calling on the Minister for Justice Alan Shatter to speak to us, ” said Marian Heeney.
Up until now he has remained silent and refuses to talk to us. He is the person who can sort this out with the Tánaiste. We want a bilateral agreement between both countries. Faris is an Irish citizen and he needs to come home, we can’t do this on our own.
The Taoiseach has written to the Heeney family stating he will raise their concerns with Mr Shatter.
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