Paul Murphy TD sues Heather Humphreys for comments on RTÉ debate
By Cillian Sherlock, PA
Presidential candidate Heather Humphreys is being sued over remarks she made about a politician supporting her election rival during a radio debate.
People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Paul Murphy is taking the action against Ms Humphreys after initially sending her campaign a legal letter over comments made during the This Week radio programme on RTÉ on October 12th.
In that legal letter through Prospect Law, Mr Murphy alleges that the Fine Gael candidate for the presidency had made “grossly defamatory” comments about him.
It relates to comments Ms Humphreys made about Mr Murphy and a protest in Jobstown more than 10 years ago.
Mr Murphy was one of six men charged with false imprisonment of former Labour Party leader Joan Burton and her assistant Karen O’Connell in a car on November 15th, 2014, during the protest.
They were all acquitted of the charges in 2017.
His legal representatives argue that he has suffered reputational damage through Ms Humphreys’ recent comments about the incident, which he said suggested he engaged in violent criminal conduct, committed an act of gender-based violence and is a misogynist, and subjected Ms Burton to imprisonment.
The letter, dated October 13th, asked for a withdrawal of the remarks, an undertaking not to repeat them, an apology, legal costs and suitable compensation.
Ms Humphreys told reporters on Wednesday: “I accept that Paul Murphy was not found guilty but Paul Murphy wasn’t at home watching television that day.”
Legal documents were filed to the High Court on Wednesday, and it is understood there has been no action taken against RTÉ.
Ms Humphreys and Mr Murphy have been asked for comment on Thursday.
The development comes as the latest poll shows that Catherine Connolly holds a significant lead in the race.
Ms Connolly, a left-wing independent TD backed by opposition parties including Sinn Féin and People Before Profit, is on 38 per cent, ahead of Fine Gael’s Ms Humphreys on 20 per cent.
The Irish Times/Ipsos B&A poll says support for Fianna Fáil candidate Jim Gavin, who pulled out of the contest, is at 5 per cent.
Some 12 per cent of voters said they would not vote, 6 per cent said they would spoil their ballot, and the number of undecideds was at 18 per cent.
The poll involved 1,200 face-to-face in-home interviews with adults between October 12th and 14th, throughout all constituencies.
The accuracy is estimated at plus or minus 2.8 per cent.
When those voters are excluded, Ms Connolly is on 60 per cent, Ms Humphreys is on 32 per cent, and Mr Gavin is on 8 per cent, with the Fianna Fáil candidate’s vote projected to split fairly evenly if they were to be redistributed to the remaining hopefuls.
Mr Gavin withdrew from the race on October 5th after being dogged by a controversy over owing a former tenant €3,300.
He has since paid the money back.
Despite his declaration to drop out, electoral rules mean that Mr Gavin’s name will still appear on the ballot paper and his votes will be counted as normal.
Ms Connolly’s campaign itinerary for Thursday includes events across Dublin.
She has announced that, if elected, she will establish a presidential initiative on disabled citizens and care.
This would involve a forum of people with lived experience to guide the initiative, public conversations across Ireland on the issue, annual reporting on care in the country, and an award scheme.
Ms Humphreys’ campaign was destined for Co Meath.
The former social protection minister recently proposed a presidential initiative which would see the Defence Forces being involved in the delivery of national flags to every school.
“As a Presbyterian, and a proud Irish republican, I feel strongly that our flag symbolises the spirit of inclusion, and the aspiration for unity between people of different traditions on this island,” she said.
