Seán Crowe TD disturbed by TD’s arrest

Dublin South West representative Seán Crowe TD has said he is disturbed at media reports of the arrest of Paul Murphy TD and a number of local South Dublin Councillors.

Deputy Seán Crowe said

“The nature and manner of arrest of Dublin South West TD Paul Murphy and some local Councillors at 7am by six members of the Garda Síochána (in Paul Murphy’s case) is disturbing and ‘over the top’.

“Garda resources must be directed at tackling the serious ongoing criminality, including burglaries of homes, businesses, community centres and schools, the intimidation of vulnerable residents which is occurring on a daily basis, as is the problem of drug crime ongoing, with many people genuinely living in fear.

“Paul Murphy and Councillors Mick Murphy and Ciaran Mahon are clearly no flight risk, therefore Garda interviews could have been arranged at any reasonable and mutually convenient time.

“The Garda Authorities for whatever reasons decided not to opt for this approach.

“I, like many people in this constituency, will be interested to know why this is the case.

“In my opinion the timing and manner of these arrests are designed to get maximum negative media coverage.

“So far they have received and delivered just that.”