'Scary times’: Irish couple on honeymoon in Dubai among those impacted by Iran attacks

Irish citizens who are currently in the Middle East and Gulf regions are being urged to shelter in place amid ongoing tensions and instability across the region.

The Minister for Foreign Affair,  Helen McEntee, has confirmed there are currently around 20,000 people from Ireland in the Middle West.

Speaking on RTÉ's This Week programme this Sunday afternoon, she said she was not aware of any Irish citizens who have been injured since Saturday's attacks began.

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The minister said that a large number of Irish citizens, in particular in the United Arab Emirates, have already registered with the department's citizen registration platform, and she encouraged others in the region to do the same.

"We're asking people to register so that we have a complete picture of who is there," she said.

"We have a general sense of the numbers who are working there and are resident, however, we know there are many people on holidays who wouldn't ordinarily register, we know there are many people who would be transiting through, so this will allow us to have the information and contact details of those," she added.

Ms McEntee has emphasised the Government’s continued advice to all Irish citizens in the UAE and other countries in the region to shelter in place and follow local Government advice.

Statement by Minister @HMcEntee on Consular Assistance to Irish citizens in the Gulf. https://t.co/2xl9TEemWE pic.twitter.com/0FWcsekP9l

— Irish Foreign Ministry (@dfatirl) March 1, 2026

Among those currently in the region are Irish couple Valerie Wheeler and Gavin Young, who are currently on honeymoon in Dubai.

According to the Limerick Leader / Limerick Live, the TV and radio presenter, and golf instructor and coach, have shared on Instagram their experiences from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is the last leg of their honeymoon, as they have also enjoyed holidaying in the Maldives.

Valerie, of SPIN Southwest and RTE, said “we are still in Dubai”. 

“Thanks for all the messages. Scary times here. Fingers crossed for us all to return home safe soon,” wrote Valerie, whose dad Ken runs Prestige Menswear in Charleville, north Cork.

Gavin, head PGA teaching professional  at Ballyneety Driving Range in County Limerick said “thankfully we’re safe and okay in Dubai, while everything going on around us is happening”.

“Scary last 24 hours I won’t lie, but we can’t thank our hotel staff and the UAE authorities enough for how they’re protecting us and treating us while it’s all going on. The missile and drone interceptions by loud bangs have been frightening but we’ll get through it and be home sometime soon,” said Gavin, who added their flight home on Monday has been cancelled.

Despite what he and Valerie are going though, he is worried about missing planned coaching sessions with golfers on Tuesday and apologises.

Around a dozen flights to and from the Middle East at Dublin Airport have been cancelled on Sunday and intending passengers are being advised to contact their airline.

Due to ongoing airspace closures in the Middle East, airlines have confirmed further disruption to flight schedules today (Sunday).

Emirates has cancelled its full schedule of flights between Dubai and Dublin Airport today (3 inbound/3 outbound), as well as its early morning… pic.twitter.com/4wMmDNxcEo

— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) March 1, 2026

The Embassy of Ireland in Abu Dhabi continues to closely monitor regional developments and advises all Irish citizens resident in the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait to register them and their families.

The Department of Foreign Affairs says Irish people "should not travel" to Iran or Israel.

"If you are already in this location, you should consider leaving if it is safe to do so. Our ability to provide consular assistance to Irish citizens in this location is extremely limited," reads a notice on its website.