The prosecution case at the Ibrahim Halawa trial is to conclude next Sunday, July 9th.

This will also be the next hearing for the Irish man, who has been in custody for over 46 months in Egypt.

The case has now been adjourned 25 times.

He has been imprisoned since his arrest during demonstrations against the ousting of former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi in August 2013.

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said: "I have just received a report from the Irish ambassador in Cairo, who led a team of observers at today’s hearing in the court case in which Ibrahim Halawa is a defendant.

"There has been further progress in the trial today with a number of further police witnesses called and cross-examined.

"The presiding judge has said that only five further witnesses will be called as part of the prosecution case, and that the prosecution case will be concluded at the next hearing, which is set for next Sunday, July 9th."

A team of official Irish observers will be present in court for that hearing, the minister says.

"I welcome the indications that the trial is now progressing into its final stages.

Mr Coveney added: "The Irish Government cannot intervene in a case that is before the Egyptian courts.

"What we can do, and what we are doing, is re-doubling our efforts to ensure that the Egyptian authorities fulfil the clear commitment which they have given us to resolve this issue as soon as the trial ends, and return Ibrahim Halawa to Ireland."

Mr Coveney has met with the Egyptian ambassador in Dublin, Soha Gendi, to discuss the case.