Paul Murphy (Irish politician)

Paul Murphy
TD
Murphy in 2016
Teachta Dála
Incumbent
Assumed office
October 2014
ConstituencyDublin South-West
Member of the European Parliament
In office
6 April 2011 – 24 May 2014
ConstituencyDublin
Personal details
Born (1983-04-13) 13 April 1983 (age 41)
Goatstown, Dublin, Ireland
Political party
Other political
affiliations		Socialist Party (2001–2019)
Domestic partnerJess Spear[1]
Children1
Alma materUniversity College Dublin

Paul Murphy (born 13 April 1983) is an Irish People Before Profit–Solidarity politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin South-West constituency since the 2014 Dublin South-West by-election.[2] He served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the Dublin constituency from 2011 to 2014.[3]

He was previously a member of the Socialist Party and Solidarity, but left in September 2019 to form a new party, RISE.[4][5] In February 2021, RISE joined People Before Profit as a network, and Murphy became a TD for the party.

Early and personal life

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Murphy grew up in Goatstown, a suburb of Dublin. His father Kieran Murphy was a senior manager at the Irish division of Mars. His uncle Michael Murphy was a journalist and broadcaster at RTÉ. His family is originally from Castlebar, County Mayo.[6][7] He attended St Kilian's German School in Clonskeagh and later studied for the Leaving Certificate at the Institute of Education, before going on to graduate from University College Dublin with a degree in law in 2004. He joined the Socialist Party in 2001. In 2004, he ran unsuccessfully for President of the UCD Students' Union.[8] Murphy also worked in the European Parliament as a political advisor to the MEP Joe Higgins.

A 2008 short film described him as a full-time activist for the Socialist Party. It followed his involvement in protests against cutbacks at Tallaght Hospital, during the Irish financial crisis.[9] He was also active in Free Education for Everyone, a group that campaigned against the reintroduction of fees for third-level education in Ireland.[10] In 2009, he worked on a PhD thesis titled Does socialist law exist?.[11]

He was a member of the Socialist Party National Committee from 2001 and the National Executive Committee until 2010.[12]

Murphy's partner is Jess Spear, and their first child was born in 2023. Their child will be raised gender neutral.[13]

European Parliament: 2011–2014

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Murphy in 2013

Murphy replaced Joe Higgins in the European Parliament after Higgins was elected to Dáil Éireann at the 2011 general election.[14] Murphy sat as a full member on the European Parliament Committee on International Trade and as a substitute on the Employment and Social Affairs and Petitions committees. He was also a full member of the South Asia delegation and a substitute on the Central Asia delegation.

In 2011, Murphy participated in Freedom Flotilla II, which attempted to breach Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip.[15] In August 2011, he visited the "No TAV" Italian campaign against the Turin–Lyon high-speed railway.[16] A supporter of the Shell to Sea campaign, in August 2011, he and others were forcibly removed from a protest by Gardaí. A complaint was submitted to the Garda Ombudsman alleging unreasonable use of force.[17] In early November 2011, Murphy was reported to be part of another Gaza flotilla described as a humanitarian mission.[18] Israeli forces boarded the ship on 4 November and imprisoned Murphy and all the other activists on board, with one of them saying this was carried out in a "violent and dangerous" manner.[19][20] Israel deported Murphy on 11 November.[21]

In 2012, Murphy set up the website ScamBridge.org for people wishing to share their experiences of the government's JobBridge scheme.[22] In June 2013, he travelled to Istanbul, Turkey, to speak with activists participating in the Gezi Park protests.[23] In 2013 while discussing the Israel-Palestine conflict, Murphy argued that "Palestinians have a right to defend themselves against that aggression and that may involve armed defence against soldiers".[24]

Murphy stood for re-election at the 2014 European Parliament election, at which he lost his seat.[25] During the campaign he put his election posters on display before the official campaign start date, a move which risked fines of up to €150,000. He said "people wouldn't be bothered" and defended the move as a response to Fianna Fáil candidate Mary Fitzpatrick, who had also put up her posters early.[26] Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council and South Dublin County Council forced him to remove them.[27] During the campaign, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) upheld a complaint against the Irish state broadcaster RTÉ which excluded Murphy from a report on the findings of a Sunday Business Post/Red C opinion poll on a news programme which they aired on 3 May 2014.[28]

Dáil Éireann: 2014–present

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Murphy was elected to Dáil Éireann for the Anti-Austerity Alliance, at the 2014 Dublin South-West by-election.[29] He was re-elected to the Dáil for the Dublin South-West constituency at the 2016 general election, as a member of the AAA–PBP grouping. He left the Socialist Party in September 2019, but did not leave the parliamentary group (known since 2020 as People Before Profit-Solidarity).

On 30 September 2019, Murphy announced a new political group called RISE (Radical Internationalist Socialist Environmentalist).[30] He was re-elected at the 2020 general election as a RISE candidate.[31][32]

In February 2021, Murphy became a member of People Before Profit after RISE's entry into the party.[33]

Murphy has advocated in favour of Irish neutrality. In April 2022, he defended the decision of his and fellow People Before Profit TDs not applauding Volodymyr Zelenskyy's address to the Dáil.[34]

In September 2022, Murphy was assaulted by protesters outside Leinster House while leaving the Dáíl,[35] and in April 2023 his family home was targeted by protestors.[36] The following month, Murphy said in an interview on RTÉ Radio that a threat had been made against his wife at a canvassing event.[37]

He was re-elected at the 2024 Irish general election.

Jobstown protests and criminal proceedings

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As a TD for the Anti-Austerity Alliance and member of the Socialist Party, Murphy took a leading role in the We Won't Pay campaign, an anti-water charges organisation advocating non-payment. He spoke at many rallies and protests against both the charges and the Fine Gael-Labour Party coalition government. His role during a protest against Tánaiste Joan Burton, in Jobstown, Dublin on 15 November 2014, brought criticism from some quarters after Burton's car was blocked by protestors, and she was unable to leave it for over two hours.[38][39][40][41] Afterward, Murphy distanced himself from the actions of some protestors but defended the right to peaceful protest.[42]

On 9 February 2015, he was arrested by Gardaí at his home, in relation to the Jobstown protest, and taken into custody along with three other anti-austerity activists.[43][44] He was released without charge that afternoon.[45]

On 12 August 2015, Paul Reynolds reported on RTÉ's Nine O'Clock News bulletin that Murphy and others would be charged and that trials would occur in the Circuit Court, where penalties are harsher, instead of the District Court.[46] On 15 September 2015, Murphy was served a summons by the Gardaí on charges of false imprisonment of Joan Burton and her assistant.[47] On 29 June 2017, Murphy and five other defendants, including Solidarity Councillors Kieran Mahon and Mick Murphy, were found not guilty of all charges.

References

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  1. ^ "Dublin TD Paul Murphy welcomes first child with partner Jess after IVF struggle". Irish Independent. 20 February 2023.
  2. ^ "Paul Murphy". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 5 October 2019. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  3. ^ "Paul Murphy". European Parliament. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  4. ^ Lehane, Mícheál (26 September 2019). "Paul Murphy leaves Socialist Party to set up new group". RTÉ News. Archived from the original on 26 September 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  5. ^ Finn, Christina (30 September 2019). "Paul Murphy unveils new political grouping called RISE". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 1 October 2019. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  6. ^ "Pillars of Society: Paul Murphy" (PDF). The Phoenix. 1 June 2012. p. 17. Retrieved 5 June 2012.[dead link‍]
  7. ^ "Interview with Paul Murphy". Village magazine. 11 October 2014. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  8. ^ "To Fight Fees: Vote Paul Murphy No.1 for President". Socialist Party. February 2003. Archived from the original on 25 April 2003. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  9. ^ Plunkett, Sean (14 June 2008). "Which Side Are You On?". YouTube. Archived from the original on 5 July 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  10. ^ Cantwell, Simon (10 February 2009). "FEE express disappointment over portrayal in magazine". The University Observer. UCD. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  11. ^ "PhD newsletter" (PDF). UCD Law faculty. 9 July 2009. p. 4. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 January 2010. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  12. ^ "European Parliament website". European Parliament. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
  13. ^ "TD Paul Murphy Reveals New Baby Will Be Raised Gender Neutral". 14 March 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  14. ^ "Murphy to replace Higgins as MEP". The Irish Times. 23 March 2011. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  15. ^ Duncan, Pamela (30 June 2011). "Irish ship will not sail to Gaza after 'sabotage'". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 6 January 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  16. ^ "Paul Murphy MEP on Italian news". TGR. Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
  17. ^ Lally, Conor (2 September 2011). "MEP lodges complaint over Corrib protest with Garda ombudsman". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 2 September 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  18. ^ "Irish aid ship bound for Gaza". RTÉ News. 2 November 2011. Archived from the original on 7 November 2011. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
  19. ^ "Israeli navy boards Gaza-bound Irish ship". RTÉ News. 4 November 2011. Archived from the original on 5 November 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  20. ^ "Socialist MEP among Gaza peace activists kidnapped by IDF". The Socialist. 9 November 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2011.
  21. ^ "Israel to deport Irish MEP on Friday". RTÉ News. 9 November 2011. Archived from the original on 11 November 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2011.
  22. ^ "Paul Murphy MEP launches 'ScamBridge' website". RTÉ News. 26 September 2012. Archived from the original on 27 September 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  23. ^ "Column: Solidarity is vital to show Turkish protesters the world is watching". TheJournal.ie. 9 June 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  24. ^ "Column: Irish MEP has no problem with Palestinians arming themselves against Israeli forces". TheJournal.ie. 25 July 2013.
  25. ^ "Paul Murphy". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 28 September 2019. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  26. ^ Kelly, Fiach (23 April 2014). "Candidates face €150 fine for each poster put up early". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 19 May 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  27. ^ O'Connell, Hugh (22 April 2014). "MEP who didn't think 'people would be bothered' forced to take down election posters". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 19 May 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  28. ^ Barry, Aoife (22 May 2014). "BAI finds exclusion of candidates' poll results in RTÉ report "unfair"". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 22 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  29. ^ "Paul Murphy elected in Dublin South-West by-election". RTÉ News. 11 October 2014. Archived from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  30. ^ "Paul Murphy launches socialist environmentalist grouping". RTÉ News. 30 September 2019. Archived from the original on 30 September 2019. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
  31. ^ Holland, Kitty (10 February 2020) [9 February 2020]. "Dublin South West results: Zappone bows out as Duffy and Lahart take final seats. Minister Katherine Zappone 'very proud' of change she achieved in Government". The Irish Times. Dublin. Archived from the original on 18 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  32. ^ "Election 2020: Dublin South-West". The Irish Times. Dublin. 10 February 2020. Archived from the original on 18 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  33. ^ "Dublin South-West TD Paul Murphy joins People Before Profit". RTE News. 1 March 2021. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  34. ^ "Column: People Before Profit TDs defend decision not to clap for Zelenskiy Oireachtas address". www.irishtimes.com/. 6 April 2022.
  35. ^ Libreri, Samantha (14 September 2022). "Murphy says he was kicked, assaulted at Dáil protest". RTÉ News.
  36. ^ "Family home of Paul Murphy TD targeted by protesters". The Irish Times. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  37. ^ "Paul Murphy says alleged threat made against wife is intended to intimidate politicians on left". The Irish Times. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  38. ^ "Minister, watch out, it's that smell again". Irish Independent. 16 August 2015. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  39. ^ Duncan, Pamela (15 November 2014). "Tánaiste's car blocked by water charge protesters in Tallaght". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 2 December 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  40. ^ "Joan Burton trapped in car during ugly water protest". Irish Independent. 16 November 2014. Archived from the original on 28 January 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  41. ^ "Dublin blockade leaves Joan Burton trapped in car for more than two hours". RTÉ News. 15 November 2014. Archived from the original on 25 January 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  42. ^ Regan, Mary (17 November 2014). "Burton 'telling lies' on violence at protest". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 8 December 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  43. ^ "Paul Murphy TD was aware arrests could be made after government statements – partner". Irish Independent. 9 February 2015. Archived from the original on 9 February 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  44. ^ Minihan, Mary (9 February 2015). "Arrest of Paul Murphy and others described as 'way over the top'". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 10 March 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  45. ^ "Paul Murphy released after questioning over blockade of Tánaiste's car". The Irish Times. 9 February 2015. Archived from the original on 23 September 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  46. ^ "Iffy leaks". 14 August 2015. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
  47. ^ "Paul Murphy has just been served with a summons for false imprisonment". TheJournal.ie. 15 September 2015. Archived from the original on 16 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
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