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A woman from Antrim, Katy McKinney, has expressed uncertainty about when she might be able to return home from the United Arab Emirates amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East. She had been visiting Dubai alongside her husband on a business trip when Israel and the United States launched attacks on Iran late Saturday. In response, Iran launched ballistic missiles and drones targeting US interests and allied nations throughout the region, including Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, and the UAE.
During the escalation, McKinney experienced a tense situation when her hotel was evacuated early Sunday morning. She described the moment vividly, recalling how an emergency alarm sounded through the hotel at around 2:15 am. “We basically just threw clothes on, grabbed our phones and just headed to the nearest stairs,” she told BBC News NI. Her hotel is located near the Fairmont The Palm hotel, which suffered a large explosion. McKinney noted seeing smoke rising from the neighboring hotel, which heightened their alarm. After spending a few hours in a basement shelter with other guests, they were eventually allowed to return to their rooms, although the distant sounds of “banging” continued.
The UK’s Foreign Office has urged British nationals to avoid all but essential travel to several Gulf countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, advising those already in the area to seek shelter. Airport operations in Tel Aviv, Dubai, Doha, and other regional hubs have been suspended. Dubai International Airport, known as the world’s busiest by passenger volume, sustained damage in an incident that injured four staff members. McKinney is scheduled to fly back to Dublin on Wednesday, but she acknowledged that her plans remain uncertain. “We’re not leaving until Wednesday so we’re hoping that maybe it might start to ease off,” she said, adding, “To be honest if this is still going on I don’t know if I would want to get on a flight.”
Meanwhile, Emma Little-Pengelly, Deputy First Minister, has been briefed by UK security officials about developments in the Middle East. Speaking on Good Morning Ulster, she urged UK and Irish citizens in the region to register their whereabouts via government websites to receive official updates. “It means that people are giving contact details and they can get information directly to their phones from official outlets,” she explained. She advised caution against relying on rumors circulating online. Regarding the UK government’s response, Little-Pengelly stated, “It was absolutely right the UK government played its part, particularly in a defensive way to protect citizens and protect against escalation.” She added that lessons must be learned from past conflicts, emphasizing a shared desire for peace and stability in the region. “The UK must do everything it can to try now to stabilise,” she said.
Also caught up in the unfolding crisis was Conor Duggan, a teacher from Ballygalget, County Down, residing in Abu Dhabi. Duggan was participating in a GAA tournament at a stadium near Dubai when the strikes began. He recalled the sudden shift in atmosphere in the changing rooms after his team’s first match. “Usually in the changing rooms, there’s a bit of craic and banter. You could hear a pin drop, everybody’s on their phones, just looking,” he said. After the event concluded, Duggan noticed smoke rising over Dubai while traveling back to Abu Dhabi. Although he described the situation as strange, he noted that life continued relatively normally with people still going about their daily routines, albeit with recommendations to remain indoors and schools shifting to online teaching until Thursday. “We’re not in like a lockdown, it’s not that kind of situation,” he said. “But it is still a strange feeling.
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