A Greek court has acquitted Seán Binder of charges against him including money laundering and smuggling.
Mr Binder, who grew up in Castlegregory, was standing trial at the Court of Appeal in Lesvos, along with 23 other migrant rescue volunteers.
Amnesty International said Mr Binder’s human rights had been violated and that defending human rights should be protected and celebrated, not punished.
Sean Binder was acquitted of all charges against him including membership of a criminal organisation, fraud and smuggling in relation to the facilitation of irregular entry.
He had faced up to 20 years in prison.
He had told the court that he was working for the search and rescue NGO, Emergency Response Centre International – spotting boats and helping people in distress.
Seán Binder said the verdict made clear that providing life-saving humanitarian assistance is an obligation, not a crime, that using WhatsApp is normal, not evidence of criminality and that buying laundry machines for a refugee camp does not make someone a money launderer.
He said his acquittal must set a precedent.
