Murphy: Decision to proceed to trial farcical

A trial date has been set for Anti Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy and 17 others facing charges of false imprisonment of then tánaiste Joan Burton following a protest in Jobstown two years ago.

Among the defendants are Dublin councillor Kieran Mahon, aged 38, of Bolbrook Grove, Tallaght; AAA councillor Michael Murphy, aged 50, of Whitechurch Way, Ballyboden; and Mr Murphy, aged 33, of Kingswood Heights, Tallaght.

Judge Melanie Greally set three separate trial dates at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after grouping the accused together based on the charges they are facing.