Thread: British Expat Deported from Dubai

A British mother has been deported from Dubai – and forced to leave her six-year-old daughter behind – for working without her estranged husband’s permission.
Secondary school teacher Tess Lorrigan was in her classroom with a group of 13-year-old children when she was arrested by immigration officials and thrown into one of the Middle Eastern state’s notoriously tough prisons for two days.
She had taken the job teaching media and film studies to support her adopted daughter Olianne after separating from her husband of eight years, expat company director Michael Lorrigan.

Tess claims he lodged the complaint after becoming bitter over their tug-of-love battle for Olianne.
In Dubai, it is an offence for a married woman to work without her husband’s permission.
But Mr Lorrigan insists he became frustrated after Tess broke their access agreement and disappeared with their daughter while he was away.
Tess then spent six months and £6,000 fighting for the right to remain in the oil-rich country, and for custody of Olianne, after the girl went to live with Michael. But Tess was deported back to the UK last month and now faces spending Christmas without her daughter.
Tess, now living in the New Forest in Hampshire, said: ‘I feel lost. Olianne loves Christmas. Every other year we’ve come to the UK or my parents have come out. Olianne’s always had her family and her cousins with her.
‘She will have a very lonely Christmas this year. There have been moments when I have felt desperate.
'I don’t know how long it’s going to be before I see my daughter again and I don’t know what to do for the best.
Tess had taken the job in Dubai to support her adopted daughter after separating from her husband
Tess moved out to Dubai 15 years ago and married Mr Lorrigan, now 59, the managing director of a training company, in 2001.
The couple could not have children but travelled to Nepal to adopt Olianne in February 2008. However, their marriage broke down in 2009.
Tess then began divorce proceedings through the UK courts, which have still not concluded.
She found a teaching job in the neighbouring emirate of Sharjah, half an hour from Dubai – but was stunned when police arrested her in May as Michael had not formally approved she could work.
She said: ‘It is a law but it is rarely enforced. I spent £6,000 trying to win the immigration case against me but in October I found out I had lost.
‘I could have tried to appeal but I didn’t have any extra money and I had been advised it wouldn’t have done any good.’

I'm not being funny but why in the world do people go to these places ? Money just isnt worth it.

No one expects something like this to happen I guess.....hope she gets her daughter back

WOW I've been away far toooooooooooo long. All these deleted messages

Originally Posted by ophidian

I'm not being funny but why in the world do people go to these places ? Money just isnt worth it.

I'm here because I wanted to experience a different quality of life and culture

Originally Posted by yummybrummy

WOW I've been away far toooooooooooo long. All these deleted messages

Lol only mods can see them, now get your ass back in to gear and don't leave us again.

Originally Posted by yummybrummy

I'm here because I wanted to experience a different quality of life and culture

Well when you vanished I thought it was you, or that you had run away with a Arab prince

Oh how I wish Kate

and just where do you think youve been Miss Yummy???

Apologies to you and Cal leaving you to handle the ranch (have already apologised to Kate). My lappy broke and been saving up to buy a new one. Haven't been able to log on at work as it's been absolutely manic and not been in the office that much.

Looks like all 3 of you have done a sterling job.

Hope you'll all forgive me for leaving you in the lurch.