People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy has initiated defamation proceedings against Fine Gael presidential candidate Heather Humphreys following remarks she made during a live radio debate on RTÉ.
Dispute Over RTÉ Radio Comments
The case stems from comments made by Ms Humphreys during RTÉ Radio One’s This Week programme last Sunday. The remarks, according to Mr Murphy, misrepresented his role in the 2014 Jobstown water charges protest.
Legal Action Lodged
Mr Murphy lodged the defamation proceedings on Tuesday, after his legal team sent a solicitor’s letter to Ms Humphreys outlining concerns about her statements. The comments in question referred to the protest in which the then Tánaiste, Joan Burton, and her assistant, Karen O’Connell, were trapped in a car during a heated demonstration.
Background: The 2014 Jobstown Case
The Jobstown protest, held on 15 November 2014 in Tallaght, saw a group of demonstrators surround Ms Burton’s car for several hours. Mr Murphy and five others were later charged with false imprisonment. In 2017, a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury acquitted all six men, clearing them of wrongdoing.
Murphy Declines to Comment on Case
Speaking briefly through his representatives, Mr Murphy confirmed that proceedings had been filed but said he would not be making any further public comment “at this time” given the ongoing legal process.
Humphreys Responds to Legal Action
In response, Ms Humphreys said she was disappointed that Mr Murphy had decided to take legal action. Speaking to RTÉ’s News at One, she remarked: “This is the tactic of the hard left and Sinn Féin — when they don’t like what you say, they take to the courts.”
“Two Women Were Victims That Day”
The Fine Gael candidate defended her comments, saying she stood by her recollection of events. “There were two women who were victims that day,” she said, referencing Ms Burton and her assistant.
Acceptance of Court Decision
Ms Humphreys added that she accepted the outcome of the Jobstown trial but maintained that she had a right to discuss the incident as part of a wider conversation about public order and political accountability.
Claim About Catherine Connolly Campaign
During the same interview, Ms Humphreys also claimed that Paul Murphy was serving as campaign manager for Independent candidate Catherine Connolly.
Connolly Team Clarifies Role
However, Ms Connolly’s campaign team later issued a statement rejecting that claim, saying Mr Murphy “is not a member of campaign staff and does not hold any management role” within the presidential campaign.
Political Tensions Intensify
The exchange has intensified tensions between left-leaning parties and Fine Gael ahead of the presidential race, with both sides accusing the other of political opportunism.
Broader Implications
Legal experts say the case could test the limits of political speech during campaign periods, particularly when comments are made in broadcast debates. “Defamation law and political commentary often intersect uncomfortably,” said Dublin solicitor Elaine Conway. “Candidates have freedom of expression, but that right isn’t absolute.”
Calls for Civility in Campaigns
The incident has also prompted renewed calls for restraint in political discourse. Advocacy groups say personal attacks and misleading claims risk undermining public trust ahead of the election.
Next Steps
It is understood that the case will now proceed through the High Court, with both sides expected to file formal legal submissions in the coming weeks. No hearing date has yet been set.
Editing by M10News Politics Desk | Contact: politics@m10news.com
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