TD denies inciting crowd after criticism of protest

Anti-austerity TD Paul Murphy has defended his key role during a demonstration in which Tánaiste Joan Burton was hit by a water balloon.

Mr Murphy denied he had incited the crowd, or that his actions were anti- democratic as Government ministers alleged.

Susan Philips, a staff member at the centre where Ms Burton was attending a graduation ceremony, took issue with claims by Mr Murphy and Socialist TD Ruth Coppinger that the protest was peaceful.