EuroParlRadio

Binder case costing lives – O’Sullivan

Migrant rescue workers' “fear and intimidation” as a result of the Sean Binder case is costing lives – that’s according to Grace O’Sullivan. The Irish Green MEP has just returned from Lesbos. She was in court with Sean Binder to hear the most serious charges against him being dropped. But Grace O’Sullivan says the case has had a "chilling effect" on NGOs and is scared away rescuers from doing vital work saving people from the sea.

 

Out words: Definitely cost lives

Dur: 0’13”

Binder’s “life is on hold” – MEP O’Sullivan

Ireland South MEP Grace O’Sullivan says the criminalisation of humanitarian work is “very concerning”. The Green Party MEP has been highlighting the case of Irish man Sean Binder who’s facing years in jail for his voluntary work with a Greek search and rescue NGO.

Mr Binder, who was born in Germany but grew up in Kerry, went to Greece in 2018 to work as a volunteer with search and rescue boats assisting migrants and refugees from drowning off the Greek island of Lesbos. But he was arrested by the Greek authorities and charged with several offences including facilitating smuggling, money laundering and even spying.

The Trinity graduate who is one of twenty four charged with similar offences, is due to stand trial for some charges in January. He says he’s innocent and that he did nothing wrong. Here’s Grace O’Sullivan.

Out words: bad move

Dur: 00:27

Greek jail one of ”worst experiences of my life” Sean Binder

An Irishman facing years in jail, says his pre-trial detention in a Greek prison was horrendous. 
 
Back in 2018 Sean Binder, who grew up in Kerry, went to volunteer on search and rescue boats off the Greek island of Lesbos. He wanted to help people at risk of drowning as they made their way from the Middle East and North Africa to seek asylum in Europe. 
 
He was arrested and charged with several crimes including facilitating smuggling, money laundering, forgery and even spying. Mr Binder who says he is entirely innocent, is due to stand trial for some of the charges in January. He already spent one hundred days in pre-trial prison in Greece in 2018. 
 
Out words: and require 
 
Dur: 00: 40

Kerry man facing jail for rescue work highlights case in European Parliament

A Kerry man, facing imprisonment for assisting migrants and refugees from drowning off the Greek island of Lesbos, has been highlighting his case in the European Parliament.

Sean Binder, who grew up in Kerry, went to Greece in 2018 to work as a volunteer with search and rescue boats. But he was arrested by the Greek authorities and charged with several offences including facilitating smuggling, money laundering and even spying.

Mr Binder, who is one of twenty four charged with similar offences, is due to stand trial for some charges in January. He says he’s innocent and that he did nothing wrong. Ireland South MEP Grace O’Sullivan highlighted his case during his visit to Strasbourg last week.

Mr Binder explained why he wants MEPs to be aware of his case.

Out words: in danger

Dur: 00:57

Irish man “desperate” for trial in Greece – Binder

An Irish man, facing years of imprisonment for volunteering with search and rescue boats in Greece, says he is desperate for his trial to begin to Greece.

In 2018 Sean Binder, who was born in Germany but grew up in Kerry, went to volunteer with an NGO helping rescue migrants and refugees off the Greek island of Lesbos. The Trinity graduate says he wanted to help people at risk of drowning as they made their way from the Middle East and Africa to seek asylum in Europe.

He was arrested and charged with several crimes including facilitating smuggling, being part of a criminal organisation, money laundering, forgery and even spying. Mr Binder already spent one hundred days in pre-trail prison in 2018. Now he is due to stand trial for some of the charges against him in January.

Out words: will return

Dur: 00:34

MEP “delighted” at Galway Port’s TEN-T inclusion

Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey says the inclusion of Galway Port in the revised Trans-European Transport network (TEN-T) regulation will mean enormous potential to develop the Port and off-shore renewable energy projects off the West of Ireland.

The Port of Galway was recently added to the TEN-T Network following a decision at the European Transport Council in Brussels. The network supports transport infrastructure projects including rail, inland waterways, shipping routes, ports and airports.

Here’s Colm Markey.

Out words: Galway Port

Dur: 01:16

Galway Port’s EU TEN-T inclusion ”good news” – Markey

The inclusion of Galway Port in the revised Trans-European Transport network (TEN-T) regulation means significant potential for the Port and the development of off-shore renewable energy projects. So says Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey.

The Port of Galway was recently added to the TEN-T Network following a decision at the European Transport Council in Brussels. The network supports transport infrastructure projects including rail, inland waterways, shipping routes, ports and airports.

Colm Markey explains the significance of Galway Port’s inclusion in the TEN-T network.

Out words: as a whole

Dur: 00:12

Fine Gael MEP Kelly on EP bribery allegations

The European Parliament this week insisted all work related to Qatar should be suspended and Qatari representatives banned from accessing the Parliament. MEPs are also calling for an inquiry committee to investigate cases of corruption by third countries and a special committee on transparency.

The calls follow the recent arrest of Greek MEP Eva Kaili and three others on suspicion of accepting bribes from Qatar trying to buy influence in Europe.

Karen Coleman (EuroParlRadio) talked to Sean Kelly during this week’s European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg. She asked him about the spiralling corruption scandal.  

Out words: influence legislation

Dur: 03:01

Transparency “key” to eliminating backhands & bribery – Kelly

Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly says it’s important to get to the bottom of a corruption scandal that’s gripping the European Parliament.

He was commenting on the arrest of Greek MEP Eva Kaili and three others on suspicion of accepting bribes from Qatar trying to buy influence in Europe.

The European Parliament this week insisted all work related to Qatar should be suspended and Qatari representatives banned from accessing the Parliament. MEPs are also calling for an inquiry committee to investigate cases of corruption by third countries and a special committee on transparency.

Sean Kelly says lobbying can be a positive thing but that it needs to be transparent.

Out words: to that

Dur: 00:40

Interview MEP Cuffe on faster permits for renewable energy

Getting permits for renewable energy projects such as off-shore wind power installations should become faster following a vote in the European Parliament. MEPs in Strasbourg have endorsed a proposed law which will accelerate the procedure to grant permits for new renewable energy projects such as windmills or solar panel installations.

The aim is to help reduce the EU’s dependence on fossil fuels imported from Russia and speed up the rollout of clean energy supplies. Well Green Party MEP Ciarán Cuffe spoke to Karen Coleman (EuroParlRadio) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg after MEPs voted on the proposals.

Out words: planning process

Dur: 04:28