Ibrahim Halawa could return to Ireland by the middle of this week, according to Simon Coveney.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs made the comments on RTÉ'S Morning Ireland today, revealing that a number of factors were to blame for his delayed release, namely the timing of the verdict, which conincided with the Muslim New Year.

The 21-year-old has been in jail in Egypt since 2013, when he was arrested during a Muslim Brotherhood demonstration in Cairo.

Ibrahim Halawa, imprisoned in Egypt for four years, moments after his acquittal by a court outside Cairo. pic.twitter.com/2gAHbot6Tq

— Declan Walsh (@declanwalsh) September 18, 2017

The Firhouse native, who was just 17-years-old at the time, was among hundreds of protestors who were arrested at the demonstration.

His three sisters were also arrested, but were later released on bail.

Last Monday's acquittal came after Ibrahim's trail was adjourned 25 times.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney is hopeful that Ibrahim Halawa will be home by the middle of the week. pic.twitter.com/5j2vJ6FUsB

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) September 25, 2017

Simon Coveney explained how the prosecutor's office must formally inform the prison office before Ibrahim can be released, but said a letter has been drafted and things should move quickly going forward.

“Once he moves from the prison service to the security directorate, the rest will happen very quickly – that's what we're told.”

“And we're hoping that that may happen as soon as later on today. So I would be very hopeful and confident that we would see Ibrahim home before the middle of the week.”