Kerry man reveals 'emotional' cost after smuggling trial in Greece is adjourned

Sean Binder from Castlegregory travelled to the island of Lesbos for the hearing but magistrates there decided they did not have the jurisdiction to hear the case.

The decision was taken in part because a lawyer is one of Binder’s twenty three co-defendants and it means the 25-year-old will have to return to Greece in the spring for another hearing.

He is to face spying, money laundering and smuggling charges.

Sean was arrested on the Greek island of Lesbos in 2018 where he was working with an NGO group rescuing African migrants from the Aegean sea when they got into difficulty attempting to enter Greece illegally.

He spent more than 100 days locked up in a Greek prison before being released on bail in December 2018 following a campaign by his family, friends and human rights organisations.

Speaking to the Sunday World about the trial delay, Sean claims it is all a waste of time.

He said: "As far as I am concerned there is not enough evidence for this to go to trial and the prosecution know that so they are going through the motions really.

"Where is the incentive for them to get the case on and heard when they know deep down it is going nowhere?

"They are in no rush to get it heard and why would they be with no chance of a positive outcome for them.

"At the same time the whole thing is still hanging over me and I want it to be finished, the costs are mounting up through professional fees, travel and accommodation, but the real cost is an emotional one.

"Just when you thing it is about to come to a conclusion it is adjourned again.

"It’s like a player being geared up to play a football match, being physically and mentally ready only for the ref to call it off just before the throw in."