Pro-Palestinian activists acquitted of causing damage to Israeli-made SodaStream products in Belfast supermarket

Martin Rafferty, 58, Eoin Davey, 57, and Yasmary Perdomo, 50, were jointly charged over allegations of placing BDS (Boycott Divestment Sanctions) stickers on the fizzy water goods sold at Sainsbury’s in the Kennedy Centre.

Criminal proceedings related to a suspected incident in the store on July 2, 2024.

Mr Rafferty, of Carnmoney Road in Newtownabbey, Mr Davey and Ms Perdomo - both of Springfield Road in Belfast - all denied the charge.

They attended the city’s Magistrates Court today for a scheduled trial hearing.

Instead, however, the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) offered no evidence against the three defendants.

They were formally acquitted after District Judge Anne Marshall dismissed the case.

Speaking outside court the activists’ legal representative hailed it as a “spectacular” outcome.

Solicitor Aiden Carlin said: “The prosecution made every attempt to secure a conviction - even though there was literally no evidence of any alleged damage.”

Mr Carlin also stressed that the courtroom victory came after a total of 13 separate hearings.

“It is an injustice that our clients had to come to court multiple times since last June before the PPS offered 'no evidence' this morning,” he added.

“We urge the PPS to withdraw similar cases which have been brought against other BDS activists.”