Intimidating and personalised graffiti targeting Paul Murphy TD near his home has been rapidly removed, following action from local residents and neighbours who reported it. This comes almost exactly one year on from a death threat that was graffitied on a wall near the opposition TDs family home.
In a statement, People Before Profit said:
“On seeing the graffiti, residents contacted People Before Profit to express solidarity with Paul and disgust at the graffiti, which was rapidly removed by the council. We would like to join them in standing with Paul and his family. This cowardly, anti-social vandalism and intimidation will not be tolerated by the community or by our party.
“Paul has, of course, refused to be swayed by these attempts to distract or intimidate him and continues to staunchly stand against this government and the tiny far-right minority who are trying to sow division. He has been elected by the people of Dublin South-West again and again, whereas the person responsible for this graffiti is sneaking around at the dead of night behind the backs of the people in the community.
“Paul is extremely principled in fighting for ordinary people and his community. He is the TD who first brought the details from the Temple Street hospital whistleblower into the Dáil, who refused to back down and brought SIPO to court (and won!) over the #LeoTheLeak scandal, and continues everyday to try and help support and build local campaigns - from the opposition to water charges, to ‘Save Tallaght Post Office’, and Equality in Education to fight for appropriate places for children with additional needs.
“This graffiti comes a day after his appearance in the High Court to challenge the government on appointing their ‘Super-Junior Ministers’ and the extra perks that includes.
“We know that Paul will continue to fight for his community and against this FF-FG-Lowry government and their strokes. They sit and allow 100,000+ vacant homes to sit empty, and on a mountain of €30 billion that they refuse to use! We need to unite everyone against those who are actually responsible for the housing, health and climate crises - this landlord government that represents the interests of the rich and powerful in our society."
Paul Murphy TD thanked the community for their support and those who took down the graffiti, and said: "I’m focused on fighting this right-wing government, in the Dail, in the courts and on the streets and I won’t let some far-right coward with a can of spray paint distract me from that work."