SIPTU boss defends jailed politicians

SIPTU’s new general president Jack O’Connor last night defended jailed TD Joe Higgins and party colleague Clare Daly saying their detention was deplorable.

Mr O'Connor, who takes over as SIPTU president from Des Geraghty today, said bin taxes were an inequitable form of tax.

"It is ironic and deplorable that democratically elected public representatives are going to jail for falling foul of a law that imposes an inequitable tax to fund environmental services.