Detained by Egypt without charge, Irish youth develops heart-condition

The 21-year-old, who has been held without trial for almost four years, was reportedly moved on Tuesday in order to be treated for a heart condition.

According to the his family, Halawa was on hunger strike and had been refusing food and water in protest against his detention and treatment.

The Halawa family added that the prison's medical facilities were inadequate and that his prison cell had no acess to sunlight.

Halawa was arrested during anti-government protests that followed the current regime's military coup against President Mohamed Morsi in 2013. He was 17-years-old at the time of his arrest.

Egyptian authorities have charged the Irishman, who was a teenager at the time, with inciting violence, rioting and sabotage, however his trial has been adjourned 19 times so far.

If found guilty, the 21-year-old could face the death penalty.

Since his detention began, Ireland has lobbied for Halawa's release and deportation to his home country, however these efforts have brought little change to his situation.

In their statement, the Halawa family urged Ireland's government to continue pressing for his release, saying that they "must do something different and be tougher".

"It's time they put a deadline on this," they added. "His health is not good. He is on hunger strike. How much longer? We feel that we are losing him."

On Friday, it was reported that Ireland's ambassador to Egypt would be visiting Halawa following his family's statement.

Egyptian authorities under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi have arrested tens of thousands of activists as part of an ongoing campaign to suppress political dissent in the country.

Hundreds have been killed since Sisi took power in a 2013 military coup, and over 40,000 people are believed to have been jailed.