In a highly targeted campaign of political suppression, Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy has received a letter from Gardai forbidding him from holding door-to-door and street collections because such actions might encourage acts of lawlessness.
Gardai quoted a section of the Street and House to House Collections Act 1962 as the blunt tool to suppress Mr. Murphy.
The TD responded by saying that it was an “incredible decision”.
Speaking this evening, he said For a whole number of years the Socialist Party have held national collections and been granted permits in Dublin South West without a problem,”
“The Anti-Austerity Alliance and the Socialist Party do not accept money from big business. Instead we rely on donations and support from people in working class communities who we represent and fight alongside against austerity.”
The outspoken TD was one of 20 people arrested in connection with the “Jobstowngate”, the incident in which Joan Burton became trapped in her car during a water-charge protest in the Jobstown area of Dublin in November last.