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Bin
Tax: Socialist Youth Member Jailed for Protesting
Socialist Youth Online (14/11/03) |
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IN WHAT must rank as one of the most disgusting examples of double standards in this country, Socialist Youth member Dave Murphy (20) was jailed for protesting against the double tax bin charges on Tuesday 4 November while gangster politicians like Liam Lawlor and big business tax evaders walk free. Dave, along with 6 other anti-bin tax protesters was jailed for their opposition to the bin tax and to the non-collection of tens of thousands of householders' rubbish in the South Dublin area. Socialist Party members Fionn Ryder (25 years old), a member of the branch committee of the An Post branch of the CPSU and Mick Murphy were among those imprisoned. Dave was elected as a class rep on the University College Dublin (UCD) Student Council earlier this year. These protesters were brought before the court just days after engaging in peaceful protest on South Dublin County Councils Bin Depot, yet several years after the Ansbacher scam, not one of those involved in the evasion of an estimated €1 billion has darkened the doorway of a court room never mind a prison cell. Both Fionn and David were sentenced to 3 weeks in prison and fines of €1,500 each for refusing to give an undertaking to stop protesting. Fionn and David were separated from the other 4 prisoners and are being held amongst the general population in the notorious Victorian Mountjoy prison. (Joe Higgins TD was held in the more modern, laid back Training Unit). They have received no special attention (like what was afforded to disgraced former Fianna Fail TD, Liam Lawlor who was allowed to hold on to his mobile!!!) and it is believed that the Dept. of Justice intervened, demanding that they not be afforded any special attention. They are only allowed one, one hour visit per week, one shower and one change of clothes per week. If
you are outraged at the blatant double standards in this country, if you
are disgusted at the treatment of Fionn and Dave, then contact the Minister
for justice, Michael MacDowell and tell him what you think. You can also
send messages of support to Fionn and Dave by clicking here. But, at the
end of the day, this is the kind of justice that ordinary people can expect.
If you are convicted of stealing to feed your children or to feed your
drug addiction, they'll throw the book at you. But if you are convicted
of defrauding the state of millions of Euro in tax, that could go towards
much needed hospital services, you can be sure that the worst you'll get
is a slap on the hand. This is what democracy looks like!! Don't get angry.
Get active and get rid of this corrupt system. Join Socialist Youth today.
Also,
you can send letters of protest to the minister of Justice at: Or email
him at: |