A Clare Government TD is concerned that an Irish student imprisoned in Egypt will go on hunger strike once again.
Pat Breen, who is the Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs committee, met with Ibrahim Halawa in Cairo for an hour and a half yesterday where he spoke of issues relating to health, food and conditions at the jail.
Clare TD Pat Breen travelled to Egypt on Tuesday ahead of his meeting with Ibrahim Halawa at a prison in Cairo yesterday where its understood the Irish student raised concerns about a number of issues.
Deputy Breen found him in what he's described as reasonable spirits, saying he was bright and engaging but appears to have put on weight due to a lack of exercise.
The 19-year-old raised a number of issues relating to health, food and conditions and has indicated his intent to go on hunger strike again in the future.
Deputy Breen says Ibrahim spends a lot of time on his own, being the only english speaker among nine cell mates.
Speaking on Clare FM's Morning Focus, he says he relayed those concerns to the Egyptian Foreign Minister at a meeting yesterday.
Ibrahim Halawa's trial is due to go ahead in October, having been postponed eight times over the past two years but its not yet known what charges will be brought against him.
Amnesty International is concerned over a number of human rights issues and Campaign and Activism Officer Kieran Clifford told Clare FM that the organisation will do everything in its power to bring him home.