TD defends Higgins abusers: Anti-water levy demonstrators target President

A TD has defended water charge protesters who targeted the President after footage of Michael D Higgins being verbally abused by demonstrators provoked outrage.

Anti-Austerity Alliance deputy Paul Murphy insisted President Higgins was a legitimate focus for campaigners to demonstrate against, as he had signed the water charge bill into law without referring it for review.

However, Mr Murphy also urged protesters to stop calling the President a “midget” because such language is “ableist” — meaning it is offensive to people of restricted growth.