The trial of Irish man Ibrahim Halawa in Eygpt has been postponed until October.

Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin Lynn Boylan has described the news as "devastating".

Mr Halawa was due before the court today in a mass trial.

However, today a judge said that no-one will be released before a trial takes place on October 4.

Ibrahim Halawa (20), the son of Sheikh Hussein Halawa, the Imam of Ireland's largest mosque, was arrested in Cairo in August 2013, along with his sisters Somaia and Fatima.

They were arrested during protests against the toppling of former president Mohamed Morsi. While Ibrahim's sisters were quickly released, their teenage brother was kept in prison. He was initially charged with murder and other serious offences along with 488 others.

Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan, who accompanied members of Ibrahim's family and legal team to Cairo said: “This is devastating news for Ibrahim’s family who are in Egypt today for his trial."

“Ibrahim’s family were not allowed to attend the trial or meet Ibrahim. They were left to wait outside in 46 degree heat without shelter."

“Ibrahim, who suffers from a medical condition, has been denied medical treatment despite repeat requests by his lawyer."

“It’s undeniable now that Ibrahim will never receive a fair trial.”

Earlier this week, his sister Omaima Halawa (22) said that it has been very difficult for the Halawa family to deal with the repeated postponements of court proceedings.

"We just keep praying and hoping, we want him home with us where he belongs.

"We recently celebrated the Muslim feast of Eid and I realised that it is nearly two years since all of us have been together as a family, someone always has to be in Egypt to be there for Ibrahim," she said.

Online Editors