Socialist TD Joe Higgins has claimed the governemnt are trying to criminalise people who take part in water charge protests, following the arrest of Paul Murphy yesterday.

The Dublin south-west TD was arrested at his home yesterday morning in connection with a November protest in Jobstown, which saw Tanaiste Joan Burton trapped in her car for more than two hours.

Mr Murphy was released from garda custody yesterday afternoon, along with three other men were also detained in connection with the incident.

Several other members of the Socialist Party, as well as anti-water charge activists, said the arrests were unjust, and are planning to mobilise more people against the water charge.

Speaking yesterday outside Terenure garda station, Mr Murphy accused the gardaí of "political policing" following his release:

While Socialist Party TD for Dublin west, Joe Higgins, told Newstalk Breakfast the attempt to discredit the protestors has "completely backfired".

The Taoiseach meanwhile says he has no comment to make on accusations of "political policing" from Mr Murphy and the Anti-Austerity Alliance.

Enda Kenny says it is entirely a matter for the gardaí, and has nothing to say to accusations of a politically-motivated arrest.