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Abu Dhabi Under Fire: Irish Tourist's Ordeal
8 Mar
Summary
- Irish tourist trapped in Abu Dhabi during missile attacks.
- Government response criticized for lack of communication.
- Chartered flight departed with empty seats.
An Irish tourist, Deirdre McClean, found herself trapped in Abu Dhabi when fighting broke out in the Middle East. Initially on a business trip, her plans quickly turned into a terrifying ordeal as missile attacks escalated around her hotel. She described frequent, loud blasts and the constant threat of incoming missiles, with official government advice being minimal and often unhelpful.
McClean detailed a week of fear and uncertainty, marked by a lack of communication from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Despite attempts to register multiple times, she received little information, and her flight home was repeatedly cancelled. The situation was exacerbated by the intense heat and claustrophobic hotel conditions.
Amidst the ongoing attacks, other nationalities, like the British, were being evacuated. However, Irish citizens faced significant delays and confusion. Eventually, a government-chartered flight was arranged from Oman, but McClean was not contacted and the flight departed with 86 empty seats, a situation she described as "shameful" and a "joke."
