Jobstown accused found not guilty

The jury of seven men and four women returned the unanimous verdicts today after just over three hours of deliberations.

The courtroom, which was packed to capacity, erupted in cheers as the verdicts were handed down shortly after midday. There were cheers of “No way, we won’t pay” and several supporters broke down in tears.

Mr Murphy, South Dublin County Councillors Michael Murphy and Kieran Mahon, Scott Masterson, Frank Donaghy and Michael Banks were on trial in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for over two months.

They had pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning Ms Burton and her adviser Karen O’Connell by restricting their personal liberty without their consent in Jobstown on 15 November 2014. It is a charge that carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Charges against a seventh accused, Mr Purcell, 50, were dropped towards the end of the prosecution case after Judge Greally ruled that the extension of his garda detention in February 2015 was unlawful.

Judge Greally thanked the jury for their “exemplary” service and told them they had shown extreme bravery and courage in taking on the case. A juror was discharged halfway through the trial for personal reasons.

She exempted them from jury service for life. There were further cheers in court as she told the six men they were free to go.

The 40-day trial, which started on 26 April, heard the two women were attending a graduation ceremony at An Cosán adult education centre in Jobstown when demonstrations broke out around them. The jury heard they were detained in vehicles for three hours as they attempted to leave the area.

The prosecution case was that by surrounding the cars, the accused men engaged in a joint enterprise to “trap” the women and totally restrain their liberty.

The defence argued that their clients engaged in a peaceful protest and this could not amount to false imprisonment. They submitted that at worst, their clients were engaged in obstructing a vehicle or delaying and inconveniencing the women.

Isabel Hayes, CCC.nuacht