British grandfather trapped in Dubai after decade-long travel ban left homeless

A British grandfather who was acquitted a decade ago after a dispute with a Dubai hotel guard has spent nearly ten years unable to leave the United Arab Emirates, left homeless and increasingly in ill health as he remains barred from travel. John Murphy, 59, built a life in the UAE after a period of military service in Britain, but a civil action brought by a former landlord and a travel ban tied to that case have kept him tethered to a country he says he cannot afford to stay in any longer. He has not been able to work, and his lawyers describe him as trapped in an inescapable legal limbo that hinges on debt and civil judgments rather than criminal conviction.

Murphy’s predicament intensified in recent weeks as he has reportedly slept on public transport and washed in shopping-centre toilets. He says he has not eaten in days and has been living on the streets for about three weeks. He also said he needs urgent cancer treatment and dental care, concerns that have been raised by supporters seeking to obtain relief from authorities to allow him to leave or to access medical services in the UAE. The claim that homelessness is illegal in the UAE has been cited in discussions about his case, and Murphy told friends that, when he attempted to surrender to police, they refused to arrest him.

Speaking about his ordeal, Radha Stirling, chief executive of Detained in Dubai, called the situation outrageous. “This is outrageous...John was found innocent, yet ten years later he is starving on the streets, denied cancer treatment, food, or shelter. This is the direct result of a system that criminalises debt and traps people in a cycle of poverty and despair. They won't let him leave, and they won't even arrest him. He is being left to die in plain sight,” Stirling said. She added that, unlike some Americans, Britain and Ireland have not stepped in to secure his release, underscoring the pressure on governments to intervene in cases involving long-standing travel bans tied to civil debts.

Murphy’s friend has launched a GoFundMe page to support him and has appealed directly to the British and Irish embassies for help. To date, both governments have not secured his release, and the British Foreign Office said it had been contacted for comment as the case drew renewed attention. The spotlight on Murphy’s case comes after the recent cases of other Britons jailed in the UAE, including Mia O’Brien, a 24-year-old from Merseyside who was jailed for life in Dubai for cocaine possession after a court process last month.

O’Brien’s case, which involved a shorter period of detention before sentencing, has been cited by advisers as part of broader concerns about how foreign nationals navigate the UAE’s criminal and civil systems. O’Brien’s conviction and sentence occurred after a brief trial that has drawn criticism from rights groups and legal observers who say the balance of due process can be uneven in high-profile drug cases in the region. Murphy’s supporters argue that his decades-long deprivation underscores the need for humanitarian considerations and a re-examination of how civil claims and travel bans intersect with criminal acquittals and the rights of residents who have already served time in a jurisdiction they called home for years.

In the United States, the Trump administration had previously facilitated the repatriation of a number of citizens from the UAE, a precedent some supporters say should inform Western governments’ handling of similar cases. Murphy’s situation has prompted discussions about whether the United Kingdom and Ireland should undertake more aggressive diplomacy or direct humanitarian interventions to secure safe passage or release for their citizens who are stuck abroad, particularly those with service backgrounds or chronic health needs. Murky timelines and legal complexities have hampered possibilities for a quick resolution, leaving Murphy dependent on the generosity of others and sporadic aid.

The government’s response to Murphy’s case remains unclear, with officials saying they are reviewing consular requests while noting that many matters hinge on civil judgments rather than criminal charges. Murphy’s illness and lack of access to consistent medical care add urgency to calls for a resolution. His supporters emphasize that, after a decade of legal entanglements, he deserves a chance to receive treatment, access shelter, and plan for a future beyond a system they describe as punitive toward debt rather than focused on rehabilitation or humanitarian relief.

As Murphy’s case has drawn international attention, advocates stress that the core issue is fairness and the right of anyone to seek medical care and safety when trapped by a legacy of debt and strict civil penalties. They urge policymakers to consider independent reviews of cases where travel bans, civil actions, and criminal acquittals create situations in which individuals become stranded in a country where they once built a life. The next steps are uncertain, but supporters remain hopeful that renewed diplomatic engagement can yield relief for a man who says he has already suffered enough.