Charges to be dropped against remaining Jobstown protestors
Charges against the remaining protestors due to face trial in relation to the alleged false imprisonment of then Tanaiste Joan Burton in 2014 have been dropped.
The Echo understands the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) sent a letter to solicitors representing those involved to inform them that their clients will not face trial.
A Facebook post from the Jobstown Not Guilty group posted this evening reads: “We’re pleased to tell all our supporters that all charges against the remaining Jobstown protesters have been dropped.
“After the unanimous ‘Not Guilty’ verdict in the first trial, it seems the DPP realised that no jury would convict any protesters!”
Commenting the news this evening, Solidarity councillor for Tallaght Central Kieran Mahon who was found innocent of false imprisonment earlier this year said: “This is a vindication for the right to protest and for an area that’s been dragged through the mud for three years.
“If the case had gone into the realm of protesting, it would have set a dangerous precedent.
“Were still calling for an investigation into how the Garda handled the case and for the conviction against the 15-year-old, who was convicted of false imprisonment, to be overturned.”
In June of this year Cllr Mahon, along with five others including Solidarity TD Paul Murphy and councillor Mick Murphy were found not guilty of the false imprisonment of Joan Burton.
According to reports this evening, when those remaining defendants appear in court on October 2, the cases against them will be dropped.
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