Halawa had gone to Egypt on holiday with his sisters Omaima, 20, Somaia, 27, and Fatima, 22.

On 17 August 2013, the family joined demonstrators in Cairo protesting against the ousting of former President Mohammed Morsi by the Egyptian military. The protesters were also demonstrating against the killing of over 800 people in Rabaa Square by police three days before.

Halawa and his family were arrested while seeking refuge in the al-Fath Mosque in Cairo along with more than 100 other wounded and injured protesters.

While Halawa was first sent to the notorious Tora prison following his arrest, his sisters were held in a separate facility.

Halawa's sisters were eventually released in November 2013, but he has been kept in adult custody for two years. He is still awaiting a court trial in Egypt, which has been postponed eight times.

Since his arrest, Halawa's case has been supported by a number of human rights groups, including Reprieve and Amnesty International. Prominent Irish politicians have also lobbied the Egyptian government for his release.