Cheering in court as Jobstown protester told he can go free

There was applause in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court this afternoon after one of the Jobstown protestors, Ken Purcell (50) of Kiltalown Green was told the charges against him have been dropped.

Mr Purcell was among seven men who had pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O’Connell by restricting their personal liberty without their consent in Jobstown, in November 2014.

Dublin Courts 4

After lengthy legal argument today by lawyers representing Mr Purcell, the decision was made and was met with loud cheers and clapping. Mr Purcell then left the court with his wife.

The remaining six defendants, who are Paul Murphy (34) of Kingswood Heights, Tallaght; Kieran Mahon (39) of Bolbrook Grove, Tallaght; Michael Murphy (53) of Whitechurch Way, Ballyboden, Dublin; Michael Banks (46) of Brookview Green, Tallaght; Scott Masterson (34) of Carrigmore Drive, Tallaght and Mr Donaghy have pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning Ms Burton and her adviser Karen O’Connell by restricting their personal liberty without their consent at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght on November 15, 2014.