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.

Anti Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy told the Irish Examiner that the decision to proceed to trial is “farcical” but warned it is a “serious development”.

After the court hearing, he said: “The prosecution’s case is essentially a move to say a sit down protest equates to false imprisonment, which is farcical. But this is also going to cost millions both in terms of Garda hours and legal costs. I think this is appalling that this is going to proceed.”

Paul Murphy, Michael Murphy, and Mr Mahon are to be tried with four others, each charged with false imprisonment, on April 24, 2017. A pre-trial date has been set for December 7.