The Workers Party has condemned the DPPs decision to pursue the prosecution of more than 20 protesters arising from the Jobstown demonstration last November in which Tánaiste Joan Burton’s car was delayed.
Workers’ Party spokesman Jimmy Dignam said the decision was a disgrace and could potentially lead to a lifetime criminal record and lengthy jail sentence for those who were arrested.
Mr. Dignam said that in no way could the decision be seen as otherwise than politically motivated while the charges against the protesters, including Deputy Paul Murphy and two other public representative, were an outrage.
“This decision will only serve to bolster the anti water charges movement right across the country. If the government and the DPP think this is going to intimidate what is now a massive citizen’s movement they should think again. The present government will meet its political Waterloo sooner or later on this issue but let them fight their ground without criminalising those involved in legitimate protest”, said Jimmy Dignam.
The Workers Party spokesman concluded with a broadside against RTE and other media who had used their crime correspondents to report on the issue. “This is a political issue not a criminal one. It ill-behoves these correspondents to engage in the latter-day felon-setting of those protesting against the injustice of water charges. They would be better employed looking at the misuse of the criminal justice system for political purposes”, said Jimmy Dignam.
The party has called for a massive turnout for the major Right to Water rally which is taking place in Dublin on Satuday, 29th August.