Deputy Paul Murphy has defended his right to free legal aid.

The Anti-Austerity Alliance TD was awarded free legal aid last week to pay for his defence against charges including false imprisonment, violent disorder and criminal damage.

The trial, which is expected to cost Deputy Murphy a minimum of €100,000, relates to a water protest in Jobstown in Tallaght a year and a half ago when the Tánaiste Joan Burton was allegedly trapped in her car.

A number of TDs have voiced their concern that Deputy Murphy will receive free legal aid despite earning €87,000 a year as a member of the Dáil.

However, Paul Murphy claims he gives away most of his salary.

“I choose to take €1,800 and a small bit more, €1,830 or something, per month for my personal usage on a day-to-day basis to pay my mortgage etc,” said Murphy.

“Then I choose to donate the maximum allowable, which is €2,500-a-year to the Anti-Austerity Alliance and to the Socialist Party. I donate the rest to various campaigns, the likes of sports clubs, water charges movement, a whole variety of different things of people that need the money.