A Sinn Fein MEP has welcomed the news the UN have contacted the Egyptian Government to express their concerns at the detention of Ibrahim Halawa.

The Dubliner has been held in Egypt since he was arrested for taking part in a protest in Cairo in August 2013 and is due to appear in court again in June.

In a statement – the UN has called for the 20-year-old’s unconditional release to prevent further violations occurring.

Sinn Fein MEP for Dublin, Lynn Boylan says that today’s development is ‘significant’.

“For them to come in I think it’s a heavy hitter, I think it’s very significant. He was facing his 1,000th day behind bars on May 13.”