Burton ‘telling lies’ on violence at protest

Socialist TD Paul Murphy has moved to distance himself from some of the behaviour at Saturday’s protest against water charges following widespread criticism of the treatment of Tánaiste Joan Burton, who was hit in the face with a water balloon before being blocked in her car for more than two hours.

Mr Murphy said he did not organise the demonstration in Tallaght, Dublin, and blamed “local young fellas” who feel “alienated” from the State for throwing eggs and engaging in other aggressive behaviour.

Government sources said they did not accept this assertion, pointing to an interview on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland two weeks ago during which Mr Murphy called for a “militant boycott” of the charge and “effective, militant, but peaceful protest”.