Irish man charged in Dubai for sending 'threatening' emojis is freed and coming home for Christmas
Stuart Quiney, 39, from Laragh, Wicklow, was taken into custody on September 6 and had been stuck in Dubai since
An Irish man who was charged in Dubai for sending 'threatening' emojis said being freed is "the best Christmas present" ever.
Stuart Quiney, 39, from Laragh, Wicklow, was taken into custody on September 6 and had been stuck in Dubai since after sending a ninja and blood drop emoji to a former friend. However, Detained in Dubai founder Radha Sterling announced today that Mr Quiney has been freed and he is currently on a flight back to Ireland.
In a text to his lawyer, the 39-year-old said: "It's amazing that I'll be home for Christmas. The best Christmas present ever." Mr Quiney was detained by Dubai police in September of this year after he sent two 'threatening' emojis to a former friend.
READ MORE: Irish man facing Dubai jail accused of sending threatening emojis while drunk
READ MORE: Irish mother pleads for help as daughter and granddaughter stuck in UAE
He had 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 or jokingly between close friends. The property renovator, who first went to Dubai in January 2022 to help his friend set up a new life, was introduced to a Belgian resident, who assisted Stuart’s friend to get an apartment by providing a local ID card.
He stayed with his friend for two months and returned to Ireland, leaving some of his belongings in the apartment as he intended to return a week later. While both he and his friend were away, the Belgian allegedly let himself into the apartment and allegedly removed all of their personal belongings without permission.
After returning to Ireland, Stuart received bad news that his grandmother was suffering dementia and being moved into a nursing home. Ms Sterling said: "It hit him very hard. She is his best friend. He dealt with the pain by drinking alcohol and in a drunken state, he reached for his phone and sent some emojis - a Ninja man and blood drop to the Belgian.”
When Mr Quiney arrived back in Dubai on September 6 he was immediately taken into custody, transported to Al Barsha police station and told he could not leave the country. Ms Sterling previously said: “He’s suffered extreme stress, anxiety and health issues from being forced to stay in Dubai for the past three months while anticipating prison.
“The UAE needs an expeditious legal process for tourists who should be deported or banned from re-entering at worst.”
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