The family of an Irish businessman who has been on hunger strike in a Dubai jail says he has resumed taking food this week after being promised a review of his case.
Christopher Renehan (38), a father-of-five, began his hunger strike on April 16th as a last resort to highlight his case after being told he was not authorised to sign off to receive money for his company that would clear his name.
Mr Renehan was sentenced to six years in Dubai’s central prison in the Al Awir desert last October after a cheque he signed on behalf of his construction company, Sire Contracting, bounced. Under Dubai law signing a cheque that bounces is considered fraud and is a criminal offence resulting in a jail sentence.
“He came off hunger strike on Monday after the local prosecutor promised that if he came off they would look into his case,” his father Michael said.
He said his son was hoping to make bail in the new negotiations.
Mr Renehan, from Swords, Co Dublin, had been working in Dubai since 2003. He reportedly owes €2 million to suppliers but is owed some €6.6 million for work carried out.
“He is hopeful now, and he is owed more money than he owes,” his father said. “If he could get out to collect the money then he would have all his debt cleared.”