The Jobstown Six protesters claim their trial was “a stitch-up” as part of attempts to suppress the growth of the left-wing movement.

Paul Murphy has been the poster boy for the water charge protest, which has seen main parties twist in the wind for two years, writes Michael Clifford.

As six men were found not guilty of falsely imprisoning former tánaiste Joan Burton and her adviser at a water charges protest, Isabel Hayes looks at how the arguments played out. 

Solidarity TD Paul Murphy is demanding a full independent inquiry into the Garda investigation of the Jobstown protest after his acquittal yesterday.

Latest: In the Dail chamber the outcome of the Jobstown trial has been labelled a "stunning defeat" for the government by Solidarity TD Mick Barry.

The jury in the Jobstown false imprisonment trial will continue considering its verdict later today.

The jury in the trial of six men accused of falsely imprisoning former Tánaiste Joan Burton has retired to consider its verdicts.

The trial of six men accused of falsely imprisoning the former Tánaiste Joan Burton has heard that a a peaceful protestor is charged with an offence that could potentially result in a life sentence.

The trial of six men accused of falsely imprisoning the former Tánaiste Joan Burton has heard that the root cause of an escalation in the protest had to be "laid firmly at the door of gardaí".

A 71-year-old man charged with the false imprisonment of Joan Burton during a water charges protest in Jobstown told gardaí he had joined the protest while in the area getting petrol.

Solidarity TD Paul Murphy and Councillor Michael Murphy are “intelligent men” who “should have just walked away” from the Jobstown anti-water charges protest, a garda has told their trial.

A Garda witness has told the trial of South Dublin councillor Michael Murphy for allegedly falsely imprisoning the former Tánaiste Joan Burton that the defendant was more concerned about bad publicity than anyone's safety.

A garda has told a court he was hit in the head with a can of Red Bull while moving former Tanaiste Joan Burton through the crowd at an anti-water charges protest in 2014.

A garda at the trial of seven men charged with falsely imprisoning TD Joan Burton and her aide said she genuinely felt she was going to be “crushed” by a crowd of water protestors in Tallaght two-and-a-half years ago.

TD Paul Murphy told an RTÉ news reporter that former Tánaiste Joan Burton was detained as part of a “peaceful protest”, his trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard.

Joan Burton’s adviser has told the ‘Jobstown Seven’ trial she is embarrassed by some of the language she used while surrounded by protesters in Dublin.

Former tánaiste Joan Burton has denied she left out any reference to “water protesters” in her statement to gardaí because she wanted to make the protesters out as a “disorganised rabble”.

Former Tánaiste Joan Burton has denied she left out any reference to “water protesters” in her statement to gardaí because she wanted to make the protesters out as a “disorganised rabble”.

Update 6.47pm: Former Tánaiste Joan Burton has denied that she was “relaxed” in the car in which she was allegedly falsely imprisoned during a water charges protest.

Former Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton has said that it was her “absolute conviction” that “protest in Ireland is a sacred right”, but said it was also her conviction that it should be peaceful protest.

Former Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton said she “ran for her life” after the car she was traveling in was surrounded by anti-water charge protesters in Dublin on November 15, 2014.

Some criminal trials manage to attract huge public interest, but few have ever matched the opening day of the trial of the so-called Jobstown Seven.

Solidarity TD Paul Murphy is due to stand trial today with six others for the alleged false imprisonment of former Tánaiste Joan Burton.

Politicians, rights campaigners, and commentators have joined forces to raise concern about the so-called Jobstown trial, claiming the court case is the “criminalising of political protest”.

A teenager found guilty of the false imprisonment of Joan Burton during the Jobstown protest has commenced proceedings to have his conviction overturned.

Update 4.54pm: A 17-year-old boy is planning to appeal the guilty verdicts handed down today for falsely imprisoning Joan Burton and her adviser in November 2014.

Throughout the hearing yesterday the boy — who cannot be named as he is underage — quietly took his own notes of the proceedings while his mother sat beside him.

Former tánaiste Joan Burton has told a court she was frightened and did not think she had the alternative of being able to get out of a garda car surrounded by people shouting abuse during the Jobstown water protest.

Anti Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy, who is paid a salary of €87,258, has been criticised for seeking legal aid in his pending trial for the false imprisonment of Tánaiste Joan Burton.

A trial date has yet to be set for Anti Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy on charges of falsely imprisoning acting Tánaiste Joan Burton during a water charges protest in Jobstown almost 18 months ago.

Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy is due back in court today with 15 others accused of falsely imprisoning the Tánaiste and her adviser during a water charge protest.

A trial date will most likely be set next month for Anti Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy on charges of falsely imprisoning Tánaiste Joan Burton during a water charges protest in Jobstown almost 18 months ago.

Socialist TD Paul Murphy is one of 16 people due back in court today over the alleged false imprisonment of the Tánaiste.

Gardai have arrested 188 people at water protests within the last year — including six for assault and four for weapons offences.

Socialist Party TD Paul Murphy said he — along with 26 other anti-water charge protesters facing trial — will have to convince a jury that it is “ludicrous” to equate what they did to Tánaiste Joan Burton in Tallaght last November with false imprisonment.

Socialist Party TD Paul Murphy has admitted he is worried about the prospect of being charged for the false imprisonment of the Tánaiste last year and said it was possible people could go to jail.

Gardaí have yet to decide on how to proceed with charges against up to 25 water charge protesters, including TD Paul Murphy, three weeks after they got directions from the DPP to prosecute.

The trials against Socialist Party TD Paul Murphy and two party councillors, with Tánaiste Joan Burton as star witness, will not take place before the next election, the Irish Examiner has established.

Gardaí have been given the green light to bring serious charges against three politicians, including Paul Murphy TD, in connection with the water charges protest involving Tánaiste Joan Burton last November.

Gardaí have recommended that charges of false imprisonment and violent disorder be brought against Socialist Party TD Paul Murphy, two party colleagues, and five other people.

The Garda investigation file on the estimated 37 people arrested in relation to the anti-water charge protest involving Tánaiste Joan Burton last November is due to be sent to the State prosecutor next week.