Corkman who helped Afghans escape is freed
An Irishman who was jailed for his part in the escape of refugees from an Australian detention centre last month was today released from prison.
Backpacker Jonathan Joseph O’Shea, a graphic artist from Cork, was sentenced to two months for aiding and abetting the freeing of 35 people from the Woomera centre.
Two young members of the group, Afghan brothers, Alamdar Baktiari, 14, and Muntazer, 12, walked into the British consulate in Melbourne, more than 1,000 kilometres (625 miles) from the remote Woomera location, three weeks after the escape to make an unsuccessful plea for asylum.
O’Shea, who had been travelling in Australia on a one-year working visa, was freed today and plans to fly home to Ireland as soon as possible, his lawyer said.
He was arrested along with eight other people at Woomera and his camper van was impounded.
He was sentenced at Port Augusta Magistrates Court last week to two months in prison with one month suspended, after pleading guilty.
As he passed sentence the judge ordered that the second month be backdated to the start of his detention.
And he has been released on a two-year good behaviour bond.
