LAST UPDATE | Sep 26th 2019, 7:00 PM

PAUL MURPHY TD has parted company with the Socialist Party.

The party, which contests elections under the party banner of Solidarity (formerly the Anti-Austerity Alliance) had three TDs elected at the last election – alongside Murphy, Ruth Coppinger was elected in Dublin and Mick Barry in Cork.

Murphy is currently a TD for Dublin South-West. 

He was elected in a by-election in 2014 under the Anti-Austerity Alliance banner. AAA changed its name to Solidarity in 2017. 

At the height of the water protests in 2014 and 2015, Murphy played a leading role in campaigning against the introduction of charges. 

Murphy parted ways with the party last week. 

Murphy has confirmed that he intends to launch a new socialist group. 

“After an extensive debate within the Socialist Party, a group of members, including me, have decided to leave and intend to launch a new socialist group,” Murphy said. 

“When we decided to leave, the party accepted that and we all aim to have an amicable and cooperative relationship in the future in the interests of working class people,” he said. 

Murphy said he will continue as a member of Solidarity-People Before Profit. 

“All six TDs in Solidarity-PBP will continue to work together closely in Dáil Éireann and in building and assisting struggles in workplaces and communities,” he said. 

The Irish Times conducted a joint interview with all three Solidarity TDs today – with the Dáil deputies telling the paper the two groups within the Socialist Party had disagreed over the extent of involvement of the party in grassroots movements such as Extinction Rebellion and coalitions like Together for Yes. 

The new socialist group is due to be launched on Monday at 1pm. 

- With reporting by Christina Finn

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