Protestors bound for Dublin in support of Seán

THE decision of a Greek court to continue to detain Castlegregory man Sean Binder at a hearing on Friday has been met with widespread dismay in West Kerry.

Sean has been detained in a Greek prison since he was arrested and charged in relation to alleged human trafficking. Sean who was working in Greece as a volunteer with the international NGO Emergency Response Centre denies the charges that have been levelled against him. Two of his volunteer colleagues are among a group of up to 30 people from various organisations who face similar charges.

There is widespread shock in West Kerry at the charges brought against Sean and his continued incarceration in Greece. This weekend a rally organised by family and friends, in support of Sean, will be held outside the Greek Embassy at 1 Upper Pembroke Street, Dublin 2. A bus has been organised so that people from West Kerry can travel together in solidarity to the rally.

Sean’s mother, Fanny, who flew out to Greece following his arrest to be close at hand returned to Ireland on Monday. Fanny, who is a nutritionalist, is well known in Dingle where she previously ran the Dingle Healthfood Shop with Michelle Flannery. Sean’s aunt, Maja, is an award winning cheese maker based in Fermoyle and a familiar face at markets through out the county as well as in Dingle where she established The Little Cheese Shop on Grey’s Lane. The family, who are originally from Germany, have lived for many years in Castlegregory where Sean’s recently deceased grandmother Eta Bode, ran the small cafe and gallery west of Stradbally.

The young humanitarian worker attended primary school in Castlegregory, graduated in political science, economics, sociology and philosophy from Trinity College Dublin, and later was awarded a masters in international relations theory at the London School of Economics. Former lecturers have rallied to support Seán and will speak at the gathering at the Greek embassy on Saturday.

The theme of the demonstration is nautical, and organisers are suggesting that people attending wear oilskins / hi vis jackets. The bus will leave from behind Garvey’s Supervalu in Dingle at 7.30am stopping at the Junction Bar in Camp at 8.15am before heading to Dublin for the rally at 1pm. The bus will return from Dublin at 5.30pm. Bus tickets cost €30 and they can be booked from Philip Edwards on 0871390910