TD granted legal aid in ‘false imprisonment’ of Tánaiste trial

LEGAL aid has been assigned to Anti Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy in relation to his trial on charges of falsely imprisoning acting Tánaiste Joan Burton during a water charges protest almost 18 months ago.

A trial date has not yet been fixed for Mr Murphy (32), with an address at The Copse, Woodpark, Ballinteer.

He was sent forward to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on two charges of false imprisonment of Ms Burton and of Karen O’Connell at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown on November 15th, 2014.

Today, a solicitor acting for Mr Murphy said he was making an application for legal aid and handed in a statement of means. He said the State were on notice and had no objection. He said the case could last four to six weeks.

The State solicitor confirmed that there was no Garda objection based on the figures in the documentation and said it was a matter for the court to decide.

Judge Melanie Greally said based on the average weekly income in the documentation she would assign legal aid.

The figures in the documentation were not disclosed in open court.

Ms Burton and her entourage had left a graduation event at An Cosan Education Centre at Jobstown, Tallaght, when a demonstration was held which delayed her for about two hours on November 15, 2014.

She and her team had been attempting to travel by car to St Thomas’ Church for the rest of the ceremony when it is alleged the incident occurred.

Mr Murphy’s case will be before the court again on May 3 next for mention.

Fiona Ferguson