Ibrahim Halawa has fees waived for Trinity College education

Mr Halawa had applied to study at Trinity College as an international student for the coming year, according to reports from extra.ie

Ibrahim had believed that his residence in Ireland would mean he would not have to pay the fees that apply to non-EU students, which range from €9,000 to €45,000 a year.

However, it later emerged that he would not qualify to have the fees waived as students must be resident in Ireland for three of the last five years.

Ibrahim Halawa had been imprisoned awaiting trail in Cairo for four years - between 2013 and 2017 - before he was acquitted of all charges in September 2017. He had been accused of subversion against the Egyptian authorities.

According to extra.ie, representations by Education Minister Joe McHugh and Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone led to Trinity confirming the costs would indeed be waived, owing to the ‘unique and special circumstances’ of Mr Halawa’s case.

Mr McHugh said: ‘Some common sense needed to be applied here.

‘I was only too happy to see if there was any reassurance we could give Ibrahim Halawa and ensure that he’s able to access a quality, third-level education.

‘I was delighted to hear that’s exactly what he’s able to do. I wish Ibrahim every success in his studies and life now he is home.’

The news comes after an exclusive interview with Trinity Provost Patrick Prendergast, who revealed that the university is “planning to find a way to admit students in direct provision free of fees."

You can read an excerpt of our interview with the Provost here.