Property developer Joe McNamara has vowed to stop his protests after his prosecution for parking a cherry picker truck outside Leinster House was dropped.
Mr McNamara (41), who has been dubbed the Anglo Avenger, had been charged at Dublin District Court with dangerous driving on the morning of December 7th last, hours before former Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan made his budget speech.
Mr McNamara, with an address at Dun na Carraige, Blackrock, Co Galway, parked a cherry picker emblazoned with protest slogans at the gates of Dail Eireann.
Following his arrest on December 7th, he was initially remanded in custody but later that day was released by order of the High Court. He then made several court appearances and his case had been adjourned until today (TUE) pending directions from the DPP.
When the case was called, defence solicitor Mr Cahir O'Higgins told Judge William Early: "I understand the application of the State is to withdraw the charges.
"Mr McNamara is asking me to say that he is appreciative of the fair and sensible approach adopted by the State and he regrets any inconvenience or any waste of State resources," Mr O'Higgins added.
Judge Early said he was marking the charges as withdrawn and added "strike out." Mr
McNamara, who came forward when the case was called, was not required to speak during the hearing and then left.
On the steps of the courthouse, he issued a statement through his solicitor. Cahir O'Higgins: "Joe is just anxious to say that he is very relieved that the charges have been withdrawn. He thinks it is the right result, he had never intended any level of criminal action or activity whatsoever. His protest was always about discontent with the way the country was being run, the way he had been treated."
This was the second time Mr McNamara escaped censure for criminal charges brought against him arising out of his protests at Government buildings.
In March he was acquitted of criminal damage and dangerous driving in connection with an incident in which a cement lorry, with the words "Toxic Bank" and "Anglo" in red letters painted on its sides, was driven at the gates of Leinster House last September 29th last.
In that case, the court had heard that Mr McNamara was exercising his constitutional rights to express opinions.