A Kildare man punched the air with joy yesterday as he was cleared in an Australian court of a tomahawk murder. Mr Trevor Stokes (26), from Naas, jumped to his feet as the unanimous verdict was read out.
His mother, Patricia, father, Thomas and younger sister, Gillian rushed to hug him as supporters burst into wild applause.
They had sat hand in hand praying as the jurors filed back into the court room after seven and a half hours of deliberations.
After the verdict Judge Dean Mildren threatened to eject the family if they didn't quiet their celebrations.
But there was heartbreak for the family of 20-year-old Australian miner Mr Greg Bebensee, who was hacked to death in a Darwin suburb last year. His family sobbed uncontrollably as the judge told Mr Stokes: "You are now a free man."
Mr Stokes - who spent a year in jail awaiting trial - had to remain in custody for an hour after the verdict as immigration officials organised him an exit visa. He is expected to return to Ireland shortly.
Judge Mildren congratulated the jury. He said : "This was a very proper verdict in a very difficult case. You should be proud of yourselves. I thank you very much for the time you have provided."
Minutes before their verdict the jury asked Judge Mildren to explain to them how important the issue of flight was in the trial. Prosecutors had alleged Mr Stokes left Darwin just one day after the murder to avoid police.
The judge explained that flight had to be proved beyond reasonable doubt if the jury wanted to rely on it as evidence of guilt. Leaving court amid the flash of camera lights, Mr Stokes smiled and said: "It's great to be a free man."