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# Backlash
Massive rise in donations to Anti-Austerity Alliance since Garda fundraising ban
Paul Murphy says the denial of a collection permit has been met with “a huge amount of support and shock.”
Updated 19.45pm
ONLINE DONATIONS TO the Anti-Austerity Alliance have risen sharply since Gardaí banned the party from fundraising door-to-door in Dublin South-West, TheJournal.ie can reveal.
Late last month, Chief Superintendent Orla McPartlin informed the party’s TD for the constituency, Paul Murphy, that his application for a collection permit had been denied, on the grounds that the funds might facilitate “an unlawful act.”
Speaking to TheJournal.ie, Murphy said the party “realistically could have raised close to €5,000″ from collections in Dublin South-West, based on the AAA’s recent “significant growth in members and support.”
However, labelling the decision an act of “political policing,” Murphy and other activists invited online donations to the AAA’s PayPal account.
The decision by Chief Superintendent McPartlin, who was personal assistant to former Commissioner Martin Callinan until last year, was made public on 30 August.
As of yesterday, information provided to TheJournal.ie by the party shows that:
- In the 10 days leading up to the revelation, the AAA received no online donations.
- In the 12 days following it, the party had received €1,020 in online donations.
This included one €100 contribution, some €50 contributions, but mostly smaller donations of €5, €10 and €20.
Murphy claimed the reaction to the fundraising ban in Dublin South-West has been one of “support and shock.”
Our members have been going door to door in Tallaght over the last couple of weeks campaigning to build the boycott for the second water charges bill, and they have been met with a huge amount of support and shock about the refusal of the Gardai to allow us to collect.
They see it for what it is – blatant political discrimination and policing. The same is true on social media.
Even those who don’t agree with everything the AAA stands for understand that we should not be denied the right to fundraise because we might use the money to organise protests – which is what the Chief Superintendent has said.
On Thursday, it emerged that Chief Superintendent McPartlin had confirmed in writing that the fundraising ban was related to previous protests involving the participation of AAA members:
The collection permit has been refused because I believe that the proceeds of the collection, or a portion thereof, would be used to facilitate protests sponsored by the Anti-Austerity Alliance.
I believe any further protests within my division would see further Public Order offences being committed.
Yesterday evening, it was reported that Murphy and 26 others would face charges – some including false imprisonment – in relation to the protest in Jobstown last November, when Tánaiste Joan Burton was allegedly trapped in her car.
First published 07.00am
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