Cork backpacker freed from Australian prison

The Cork backpacker who was sentenced to two months in an Australian prison for aiding and abetting the escape of refugees from…

The Cork backpacker who was sentenced to two months in an Australian prison for aiding and abetting the escape of refugees from a detention centre has been released.

Mr Jonathan Joseph O'Shea (22) was freed early this morning and plans to fly home to Ireland as soon as possible, his lawyer said.

Mr O'Shea, a graphic artist, was arrested along with eight others outside the notorious Woomera detention centre and his camper van was impounded.

He had been travelling in Australia on a one-year working visa.

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He was sentenced at Port Augusta Magistrates Court last week to two months in prison with one month suspended, but was freed today on a two-year good behaviour bond. He pleaded guilty at his trial.

The charges relate to the escape of 35 refugees from the compound in June. Two Afghan brothers, Alamdar Baktiari (14) and Muntazer (12), walked into the British consulate in Melbourne, more than 1,000 km from the remote Woomera three weeks later.