THE family of an Irishman who is on hunger strike in Egypt have warned that "time is of the essence" as negotiations remain ongoing to attempt to secure his release.
Ibrahim Halawa (21) is in prison in Cairo after being arrested in a mosque in the city in August 2013 following protests against the removal from office of then Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi.
The Dublin man's trial has been postponed 19 times and Labour leader Brendan Howlin has called on the Republic's government to continue to push for his release.
According to his family, Mr Halawa was brought to see his aunt in a wheelchair on Tuesday due to his deteriorating condition.
In a statement, his family said: "We ask our government to urge the Egyptian government to release Ibrahim on humanitarian grounds, we hold the Egyptian and Irish government the full responsibility if something was to happen to Ibrahim physically or mentally."
Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he would raise the case again with current Egyptian president Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, but added: "I am sure his response will be the same as that given to the Ceann Comhairle and his delegation to Egypt, namely, that he is prepared to use his presidential powers but there must be a conclusion to the case."
