Socialist win ‘start of water tax revolt’

The surprise Socialist victory in the Dublin by-election should act as a springboard for a national boycott of water charges in the New Year, Joe Higgins has insisted.

Mr Higgins described the victory of Paul Murphy in Dublin South West as a political “earthquake” as the former MEP, fighting under the Anti-Austerity Alliance banner, came from behind to snatch the seat from Sinn Féin on the eighth count.

Tipped as an easy victory for Sinn Féin, the race turned into a knife-edge political thriller as Mr Murphy crept to triumph on the back of transfers.