Two mums appear in court for ‘refusing to quarantine’ after ‘boob job’ trip to Dubai
TWO mums have appeared in court accused of refusing to quarantine after a trip to Dubai for a boob job.
Niamh Mulreany, 25, and Kristie McGrath, 30, were arrested at Dublin Airport and charged following the trip.
It was their second visit to the Middle East in a matter of weeks.
Mulreany, a mother of one, and mum-of-two McGrath, both from Dublin, had received treatment at King’s College Hospital in Dubai.
They were detained at the airport in Dubai and told they could not board their return flight unless they paid hotel quarantine fees when they arrived in Dublin.
They appeared in court yesterday before Judge Miriam Walsh, who questioned if their trip was essential travel.
“Colloquially referred to as a boob job”, she later described their medical procedures as the reasons for their trip emerged.
They now face a £1,700 fine and a one-month in jail for breaking new 14-day hotel quarantine law for travellers arriving in Ireland.
The pair also face a demand for £2,125 to cover the cost of their quarantine.
The court heard police spent almost two hours trying explain the regulations to the women who claimed they did not know about the law change.
Kirstie McGrath appeared first and wept throughout the hearing, at times shielded her face from the public gallery.
Both were supported by family members in the public gallery but did not address the court.
The pair had reportedly checked travel guidelines with their airline last week before they departed the UK, and had obtained negative PCR tests before attempting to return home.
At Dubai airport the women claimed they had run out of money, and were therefore not able to board the flight.
They reportedly spent the next two days roaming the airport and nearby streets, with nowhere to go.
In the meantime, Mulreany’s father, Eddie Freeman, reportedly tried to make contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs, as well as several embassies and politicians.
“They are very distressed. My daughter followed every travel rule. They were and are being treated in an unbelievable way,” Mr Freeman said.
“It took two days to even get them on another flight. Independent councillor Christy Burke made contact with Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney and between them they managed, after hours of work, to sort out a waiver form to get them onto a flight on Thursday night as both have children who are dependent on them.
“When they arrived into Dublin at around midday on Friday they were again told they would have to go to quarantine but the girls refused to sign any documentation. They are now being held in Ballymun Garda station. This is a terrible situation to be in,” he said.
A spokesman from the Irish police said the two women were arrested for breaches of the Health Act, after failing to comply with gardai.
“Both women have since been charged,” he’s said.
Both women have been bailed and will appear again in court on April 9.