Socialist TD responds to Late Late Show ‘badgering’

Socialist TD Paul Murphy has said his appearance on Friday night's Late Late Show and his interview by host Ryan Tubridy, "was an exercise in badgering".

Mr Murphy’s supporters took to social media before the interview ended to criticise what many felt was an uncharacteristically robust interview.

The interview began with Mr Tubridy asking Mr Murphy about what effect the premature death of his father had on his life, and progressed through the playing of videos of the Jobstown anti-water protest, and a protest in which the President Michael D Higgins was abused.

Mr Tubridy repeatedly pressed Mr Murphy over his involvement in Jobstown where he was shown asking the crowd their opinion on releasing Tánaiste Joan Burton who was trapped in her car. Mr Murphy was also closely questioned over whether he approved of a separate protest in which the President had been verbally abused.

Mr Murphy explained he had been asked by An Garda to use the loudspeaker and put it to the crowd that some of the gardaí would retreat if they made way for the Tánaiste to leave. The crowd had agreed and move was ultimately successful.

But Mr Murphy said he had repeatedly condemned the verbal abuse of the President and with the exception of one newspaper headline this had been generally accepted.

He questioned Mr Tubridy over the screening of the video showing disrespect to the President, and asked why he was being linked to it.

Mr Murphy also questioned general media coverage of the anti-water protests.

After the Late Late Show Mr Murphy tweeted: "Afterwards Ryan showed me a video from ISIS and asked me what I thought about it".

Anti Water charge protesters and supporters of Mr Murphy took to social media to praise Mr Murphy for what many said was his restraint during the show. Much of the comment was critical of Mr Tubridy and the show.

On Saturday, Mr Murphy posted more comment on his Facebook page saying he felt “the whole interview was an exercise in badgering and trying to make me responsible for things that are nothing to do with me”.

He told his supporters: “If I came across as condemning people for simply protesting against the President, I’m sorry, that wasn’t my intention. I do think it’s not strategically or tactically useful, but people have the right to do it.”

Mr Murphy concluded: “I condemn the personal abuse, which had nothing to do with me as I wasn’t there, much more importantly, I also condemn the fact that 1.4 million people experience the effects of poverty in this country – and I think that’s what we should really be talking about … Anyway, live and learn.”

RTÉ had no comment.