Anti-austerity TDs look for Minister's comments on 'surveillance operation'
Three anti-austerity TDs are demanding a public statement from Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald following a report of a Garda surveillance operation targetting anti-water charge protesters.
The report in today's Irish Daily Mail says a special Garda unit has spent six months monitoring protesters and compiling profiles on them.
Joe Higgins, Paul Murphy (pictured)and Ruth Coppinger have sent a letter to Minister Frances Fitzgerald, asking if she is aware of the operation's existence.
The TDs say the alleged operation raises fundamental questions about what they claim is Garda interference in the political life of the State.
Des Fagan of the Right to Water Campaign said he shared their concerns.
He said: "It's very disturbing and concerning….People need to know we behave in a cooperative fashion with An Garda Síochána."
