TD Paul Murphy among 16 due in court in connection with Jobstown protest

Socialist TD Paul Murphy is one of 16 people due back in court today over the alleged false imprisonment of the Tánaiste.

They are accused of trapping Joan Burton and her adviser in their car for several hours as they tried to leave a graduation ceremony in Dublin.

Deputy Murphy was one of 32 people summonsed to court last month in relation to charges brought following three separate protests in Dublin.

He has been charged with the false imprisonment of the Tánaiste and her adviser Karen O’Connell.

The Labour leader and her team were leaving a graduation ceremony at an education centre in Jobstown, Dublin on November 15 last year when it is alleged their car was blocked from moving by a large demonstration.

Fifteen others, including two Anti-Austerity Alliance Councillors, are facing the same charges.

Today, they are due to be handed books of evidence and sent forward for trial before a judge and jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where a conviction for false imprisonment has a maximum penalty of life in prison.