Jobstown accused 'standing united', says TD Paul Murphy
Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy said today that he wants to be tried with all the other water charge protesters accused of falsely imprisoning the Tánaiste in Dublin.
He is one of 16 people facing trial after Joan Burton and one of her advisers were allegedly trapped in their car in Jobstown in November 2014.
A number of others are charged with various public order offences, and the State wants to split them into four groups and hold separate trials.
#JobstownNotGuilty up in court this morning. Back up on 2 May for hearing about breaking up of accused into groups. pic.twitter.com/7Yo8Ddoe4G
— Paul Murphy 🏳️⚧️ (@paulmurphy_TD) April 4, 2016
Today, the court heard that the accused want detailed reasons for the DPP's decision to do so, and a hearing on the issue may be needed next month.
Speaking afterwards, Deputy Murphy said there is a consensus among the group to have everyone tried together.
@paulmurphyAAA speaking outside CCJ today #Jobstown pic.twitter.com/H8PjAga35L
— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) April 4, 2016
"Yeah, I think that's the starting point of people," he said.
"Whether we'll be able to achieve that or not is open, because the judge can make a case, the DPP can make a case that it's very difficult to try 19 adults together.
"But the basic point is - we're standing united as a group, we were involved in a peaceful protest a year and a half ago, and we think that we should be tried together and stand united."
