Eoin Rua Davey was arrested and subsequently charged with aggravated trespass after taking part in the action, organised by the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Belfast group.

The protest, in the Kennedy Centre Sainsbury’s on 14 July, was targeting Israeli products allegedly sold at the store.

Belfast Magistrates’ Court yesterday heard that the charge against Davey had been dropped by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).

Aiden Carlin, Davey’s solicitor, said in a statement: “We welcome the PPS decision to withdraw the case. This is a prosecution that should never have been instigated.

“Despite legal representation to the PSNI, our client was arrested at his home on 16th July 2024. He was detained and interviewed at Musgrave Street police station for six hours before being charged with aggravated trespass contrary to section 68 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

“It was obvious that our client was innocent of any wrongdoing. We submit that the arrest of our client was unlawful, unnecessary, and disproportionate. Likewise, the decision to charge him was wrong in law.”