Protest against plans for mass arrests of anti-water charges activists in Ireland

Following the dawn arrests of 4 anti-water tax activists – including Paul Murphy TD (Irish MP) and Anti-Austerity Alliance councillors, Kieran Mahon and Mick Murphy – yesterday in Dublin, new arrests have been made this morning. We publish a statement by the Anti-Austerity Alliance below.

Paul Murphy’s media appearances – on radio and national TV -following his release can also be seen / heard here (first 10 minutes especially) and here

The CWI calls on socialists and trade unionists internationally to send protests to the Garda (Irish police) HQ condemning this act of political policing, clearly intended to intimidate the anti-water charges mass movement.

These protests – against the political detention of anti-water charges activists -should be addressed to Garda Commissioner, Noirin O Sullivan, and emailed to pressoffice@garda.ie with copies to webmaster@taoiseach.gov.ie and info@socialistparty.ie.

Pickets of Irish embassies/ consulates against political policing of peaceful protestors will also be welcome.

• Gardaí score another own goal’ with 4 more Jobstown arrests
• Is this the beginning of 10 days of ‘dawn raids’?
• 4 more people arrested including 16 year old who was arrested by 10 Gardaí

Anti-Austerity Alliance press statement

Four more people have been arrested in relation to the Jobstown protest which saw Paul Murphy TD arrested yesterday.

Paul Murphy TD said: “Today four more people have been arrested in relation to the protest. They were treated to the same heavy handed tactics of having numerous Garda arrive at their door in the early hours of the morning.

“The Gardaí scored a massive own goal yesterday and have scored another one today with these arrests. One of those arrested is a 16 year old who unbelievably had 10 Gardaí arrive at his door.

“According to some of the media the Gardaí plan to arrest up to 40 people in relation to the protest. With four people yesterday and four people today, is this the beginning of a period of 10 days of dawn raids on peaceful protestors? Are the Gardaí planning to make an example of up to forty people to send a political message to the rest of the country that it’s not okay to protest? This is political policing.”

Speaking of this yesterday mornings events Joe Higgins TD said:

“The arrests of AAA TD [Irish member of Parliament] Paul Murphy, councillors Kieran Mahon and Mick Murphy and a fourth person who remains to be identified to us as we go to press is a cheap attempt to denigrate and weaken water charges movement as we approach make or break time – bills coming out and need for mass non-payment.

“This is the product of a “criminal” investigation involving six Gardai [Irish police] and an ’incident room’ in Tallaght [South Dublin] since November. Numerous local people and activists have been interviewed over that time during which the investigating Gardaí have constantly enquired about Paul Murphy’s connection with the events of 15th November. Ordinary people in Tallaght and everywhere else will see this as way over the top and a disgraceful and criminal waste of Garda time and resources.

“Is this investigation about anything serious or is it about creating bad publicity for the anti water charges movement, for Paul Murphy TD, for county councillors Kieran Mahon, Mick Murphy, the We Won’t Pay campaign, the Anti Austerity Alliance and the Socialist Party.”

Ruth Coppinger TD added:

“Where is this investigation coming from? Direct orders from the Government via the Department of Justice may or may not be the case but it is more likely that the Garda have decided to exaggerate and trump up the events of November 15 last year to help the government who are on the back foot on the water charges.

“On November 15 a small protest in Jobstown was swelled spontaneously when word went round that Tanaiste Joan Burton was in the area. This resulted in the delaying of the Tanaiste for a couple of hours as people made clear to her their opposition to water charges and her attacks on the community as Minister for Social Welfare.

“This was a strong but peaceful protest. The AAA people arrested today did not organise the protest but participated in it and helped ensure that the community could make their point but also that it remained peaceful. It is ironic that on the day, at the time, on the ground, the local police recognised the role that they played and even thanked Paul Murphy!

“This will not deter the people of Tallaght, Dublin South West or around the country from continuing to protest but in particular to make sure that the bills coming out in April will be met with mass non-payment. The water charges will be defeated.”