Afghan hunger strikers charged, Archbishop pays tribute to Gardaí
The Church of Ireland has dropped all complaints against those who had occupied its national Cathedral.
Archbishop of Dublin Dr John Neill thanked everyone involved in bringing the hunger strike to a peaceful end.
“It has been a trying week for everybody,” he told reporters gathered at the Cathedral.
"I would pay particular tribute to An Garda Síochana, for the manner in which, with great care and courtesy, they dealt with this very sad event.”
Dr O’Neill also went on to pay tribute to the Cathedral's staff, Mr Scott Hayes the administrator and his team, the Archdeacon of Dublin and the team of clergy who worked to end the protest.
Thirty-three of the hunger strikers were charged with the forcible occupation of a premises at Dublin District Court this morning.
All 33 were granted bail and will appear before Kilmainham District Court next Thursday morning.
The special sitting of Dublin District court only came to an end at 6am today.
For the previous four hours, each of the 33 Afghan hunger strikers were led in one by one to a packed courtroom where up to 40 gardaí were present.
The men with addresses at Cork, Kerry, Galway, Limerick and Dublin were all charged with the forcible occupation of a premises.
Judge James Paul McDonnell granted the men bail of €250 subject to three conditions. They must stay away from St Patrick's Cathedral, comply with the ordinary conditions of bail and live at specified addresses in Dublin for their duration of their case.
All the men requested legal aid. They are due to appear before Kilmainham District Court at 10.30am next Thursday.
