Water protest criminal charges leaked – Paul Murphy

Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy has said he believes someone from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) or in the Garda is responsible for leaking information about plans to bring criminal charges against anti-water charge protesters

Mr Murphy has lodged formal complaints to the offices of the DPP, the Garda Commissioner and GSOC over the leaking of information to the media suggesting he could be one of about 20 people charged over an incident at a protest in Jobstown, Dublin last November in which Tánaiste Joan Burton was trapped in her car.

“I have two organisations in mind and I think it has to come from somebody within one of the two - the DPP or the gardaí,” he said.

“I wrote to the Garda Commissioner about the fact this has been leaked. It certainly would appear to be a criminal offence, so on foot of that I was contacted by a guard from the commissioner’s office to discuss it today,” he said.

The protestors are expected to be charged with a variety of offences, including false imprisonment, criminal damage and public order, following a decision by the DPP.

Nobody has been charged since the reports were published widely in the media almost a fortnight ago.

Mr Murphy said he had not made a complaint to RTÉ about the broadcasting of a news report on the matter.

“A significant criminal offence has been committed by somebody in interfering with the administration of justice by leaking the fact that people are due to face serious charges. That serves a proper criminal investigation and prosecution,” he said.

Mr Murphy said it was “a reasonably likely scenario” that he could face another early morning arrest at his home.

Following the Jobstown protest in November, six gardaí arrived at his home at 6.55am and took him to Terenure Garda station where he was held and questioned until about 3.30pm.

Mr Murphy said there was an element of political policing surrounding the anti water charges protestors.

“A lot of Garda resources are being used to criminalise what was a protest of civil disobedience. Four gardaí were working full time from November to February to investigate what happened in Jobstown.”

“Now the fact that we’re going to be charged and how that was leaked to the media a fortnight ago is highly unusual and goes toward the idea that this is political policing and protestors are being sent a message,” he said.

Meanwhile, organisers have said they are expecting tens of thousands of people to attend a national anti-water charges demonstration in Dublin on Saturday. It is the fifth national demonstration organised by Right2Water.

The Technical Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU) yesterday (Tuesday) became the sixth trade union to join the Right2Water campaign,along with unions Unite, Mandate, CWU, CPSU and OPATSI .

TEEU general secretary Eamon Devoy said its members would be pushing for a referendum to take place on the future ownership of Irish Water.

Mandate general secretary John Douglas said the campaign was not solely about water charges but the impact of austerity.

“The hundreds of thousands who have taken to the streets of our towns and cities under the Right2Water banner know that water charges are just the tip of the austerity iceberg,” said Mr Douglas.

The Right2Water affiliated trade unions issued a draft set of policy principles for public consultation in May.

Mr Douglas said 150 detailed submissions on a range of areas were received, and document will be circulated at Saturday’s demonstration.

Unite official and Right2Water co-ordinator Brendan Ogle said it was time to abolish water charges and “ensure public ownership of our water in perpetuity.”

Those taking part in the demonstration will assemble at 2pm at Heuston Station and at Connolly Station where they will march to the Spire on O’Connell Street.