Irishman faces jail for assisting refugees escape

A 22-year-old Irishman could face up to 10 years in jail for helping refugees escape from an Australian detention centre.

Jonathan O’Shea was charged by Australian authorities yesterday with helping the refugees escape the camp in Woomera, South Australia, the scene of a number of riots and hunger strikes since it was opened in the Australian outback.

Australian police say they have video evidence of O’Shea, a graphic artist from Kilmoney Heights, Carrigaline, Co Cork, handing wire cutters through the fence at the Woomera compound which led to the escape of 35 refugees in June.