'Major' demonstration against protesters' arrest planned

A demonstration has been announced against the arrest of people in connection with the Dublin protest which saw the Tánaiste trapped in her car last November.

Organisers say a total of 23 people have been arrested over the Jobstown anti-water demonstration, with no charges yet brought forward.

They claim the arrests are "political policing" and designed to "criminalise" anti-austerity campaigners.

Socialist TD Paul Murphy, who was himself arrested in connection with the events in Jobstown, said this Saturday's protest is about free speech.

"We launched a call for a major demonstration this Saturday in Dublin at 2pm at the Central Bank against political policing," he said.

"This is not just about Tallaght, it's not just about Jobstown, it's about the right of people everywhere to protest … with no arrests, no charges."

Sandra Fay, one of those who blocked the Tánaiste's car in the Jobstown protest, said she has no regrets.

"I know people who were meant to graduate that day who had to stand out with us in the protest and refused to accept their certs - and she [the Tánaiste] knew this, and she still insisted on coming into our community," she said.

"We have to show them that the people's mandate is the strongest, and they have to do what we ask of them. I do think she should be stopped - and I'd do it again. I'd sit in front of her car again, and again, and again."