Dubai returnee Emma Kelly has been released from hotel quarantine after bringing a case in Ireland's High Court. Alamy
Dubai returnee Emma Kelly has been released from hotel quarantine after bringing a case in Ireland's High Court. Alamy
Dubai returnee Emma Kelly has been released from hotel quarantine after bringing a case in Ireland's High Court. Alamy
Dubai returnee Emma Kelly has been released from hotel quarantine after bringing a case in Ireland's High Court. Alamy

Dubai returnee Emma Kelly released from Irish quarantine after legal challenge


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A woman who returned from Dubai to Ireland was released from hotel quarantine after launching legal action.

Emma Kelly had been in quarantine since arriving in Dublin from the UAE on April 3 to care for her mother while her father underwent surgery for cancer.

Ms Kelly, who is fully inoculated against Covid-19 with AstraZeneca's vaccine, could legally have been released on Monday, but she said hotel staff failed to provide a Covid-19 test that would have allowed it.

Her lawyers sought a special sitting of the High Court to secure her release.

The court ordered that Ms Kelly be tested for Covid-19, with an expedited analysis of her swab. She was released on Tuesday evening after the result was negative.

But the case is still before the court, with a judge ordering an inquiry into the circumstances of her detention. It will be heard on Wednesday.

Ms Kelly is one of five people challenging the legality of Ireland's hotel quarantine system.

Ireland suspended bookings for the system for four days while it works to increase the availability of rooms.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said airlines would be asked to check whether passengers had a pre-booked place before allowing them to board flights.

"The hotel quarantine system has only been in place for 18 days, believe it or not. We have gone from 33 countries up to, I think, 71 countries now. On a precautionary basis the department has paused the bookings to make sure we have the capacity," he told broadcaster RTE.

“There is still a high level of walk-ins, which shouldn’t be happening.

"There is significant additional capacity coming in on Monday. We're going up from about 650 rooms to about 960. And then the following Monday again a lot more coming online, we will be above 1,300."

On Tuesday, the government said it was considering allowing fully vaccinated passengers to quarantine at home.

Dubai World Cup factbox

Most wins by a trainer: Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor(9)

Most wins by a jockey: Jerry Bailey(4)

Most wins by an owner: Godolphin(9)

Most wins by a horse: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow(2)

The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet

Price, base / as tested: Dh275,250 / Dh328,465

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder

Power: 245hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 370Nm @ 1,300rpm

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km

If you go

The flights

The closest international airport for those travelling from the UAE is Denver, Colorado. British Airways (www.ba.com) flies from the UAE via London from Dh3,700 return, including taxes. From there, transfers can be arranged to the ranch or it’s a seven-hour drive. Alternatively, take an internal flight to the counties of Cody, Casper, or Billings

The stay

Red Reflet offers a series of packages, with prices varying depending on season. All meals and activities are included, with prices starting from US$2,218 (Dh7,150) per person for a minimum stay of three nights, including taxes. For more information, visit red-reflet-ranch.net.