Paul Murphy makes further claims of ‘political policing’

Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy has accused gardaí of acting in an "overtly political manner" after allegedly being refused a permit to carry out street or house-to-house collections.

The TD posted an image of a letter apparently from the Chief Superintendent of the Dublin Metropolitan Region South on social media.

The letter states that the group’s application for a collection permit under the Street and House to House Collections Act 1962 was “precluded” under section 9(c) of the Act.

The relevant section states that a “Chief Superintendent shall not grant a collection permit for any collection in respect of which he is of opinion that...proceeds of the collection or any portion thereof would be used in such a manner as to encourage, either directly or indirectly, the commission of an unlawful act.”

In a statement the Anti-Austerity Alliance said the permit application was part of a nationwide collection to raise money for the upcoming general election.

“The refusal comes from the Chief Superintendant of the southern division of the Dublin Metropolitan Region, the top Garda responsible for the policing of the protests in Jobstown last November which led to the arrests of over 20 people.”

Mr Murphy was among those arrested in connection with the protest which left Tánaiste Joan Burton trapped in her car.

Referring to the “unlawful act” cited under the Act Mr Murhpy said: “One can only presume that it is a reference to the prominent call by the Anti-Austerity Alliance for mass non-payment of the water charges or else to the participation of (the alliance’s) activists in anti-water charges protests.

“If that is the case, the gardaí are then acting in an overtly political manner to decide what the Anti-Austerity Alliance can and cannot campaign for.”

A Garda spokesman said it did not comment on individual cases but noted that, under the legislation, applicants who are refused permits have the right to appeal the decision to the District Court.

Mr Murphy said the Anti Austerity Alliance would be taking legal advice on appealing the decision.