The People Before Profit councillor for Tallaght, Nicky Coules, has condemned the arrest of Paul Murphy as a travesty of justice.
Coules, who lives in the Jobstown area of Tallaght claims that Joan Burton’s visit was a provocation for many residents.
‘Joan Burton has been responsible for waging a war of poverty on my constituents. She has stood over decisions which have cut social welfare for young people, deprived single parents of children over 7 of One parent Allowance, and supported legislation which has cut the wages of public sector workers. Once her appearance in Tallaght was known, it was inevitable that there would be protests.
‘Paul Murphy acted as a responsible TD in joining his constituents on these protests and should be praised for sticking with those who elected him.
‘There is no evidence that he abused Joan Burton in any way – he simply sat on the road in a peaceful protest.
‘His arrest at 7am in the morning is in sharp contrast to the manner in which tax evaders are treated. On the morning of Paul Murphy’s arrest it was reported that Irish businessmen held secret accounts in a HSBC account Switzerland to evade tax. Yet I doubt if there will be any 7 am visit to their houses to make an arrest.
‘Once again, we are seeing one law for those who represent the poor and another for the wealthy and powerful.’
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For confirmation Nicky Coules Tel: 0868532326
People Before Profit