A Kerry man, who was acquitted of range of charges arising out of his involvement with a search & rescue NGO in Greece eight years ago, has thanked the people of Kerry for their support.
Seán Binder, who grew up in Castlegregory, was standing trial at the Court of Appeal in Lesvos, along with 23 other migrant rescue volunteers.
He faced up to 20 years in prison on three charges: people smuggling, membership of a criminal organisation, and money laundering.
Yesterday, all 24 defendants were found not guilty of all charges.
Seán Binder volunteered in Greece because he wanted to offer the practical swimming and rescue-diving skills he had learned in Castlegregory.
He thanked the people of Kerry for keeping his situation in the spotlight and raising funds for his, and other volunteers', legal cases.
However, he admitted the eight-year ordeal has taken a toll:
Seán Binder acknowledged that there are growing concerns around uncontrolled migration, but agued that, despite people's fears, everyone still has the right to life:
