Jobstown: Defence Team’s Final Statements

Paul Murphy TD’s defence team’s final statement to the court defending his right as an elected representative to peacefully protest and advocate for the wishes of those who elected him. This is obviously a very important principal to defend and is brought into even sharper relief given the treatment of the residents of Grenfell Towers and their disenfranchisement from the political process prior to the fire.

Final words from Paul Murphy’s defence;

Why have you spent six weeks hearing this case against Paul Murphy? Paul Murphy is not being prosecuted for what he did or what he said on the day, but for who he is, what he believes and what he represents. A public representative elected by the people to campaign on issues.
What distinguished him from everyone else who was there that day? His words and actions on the day? Or is the only thing which truly distinguished him the fact that he’s a public representative elected to oppose water charges, and this is being used to discredit him, the campaign he leads and the people he represents?
At stake is our freedom to hold our elected representatives to account, our right as a people to expect that promises will be honoured, this is a case in which you are being asked to fix a limit to our political rights. I ask you to defend the right to peaceful protest and say he is Not Guilty of the offence charged. Via #jobstownnotguilty