Taoiseach warns 'zero tolerance' stance needed on racist attacks in Northern Ireland
Olivia Kelleher
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has warned that a “zero tolerance” position must be taken on racist attacks in Northern Ireland.
Speaking to the media in Cork today, Mr Martin expressed hope the that the violence of recent days would ease before marching season in the North.
“I think it (violence) will ease. I fervently hope that because many of the politicians that I spoke to over the last two days have been in the communities. The vast majority of people in these communities do not want this type of activity."
Mr Martin expressed concern at the “dangerous, wanton violence” and the “intimidation of families” which has been on display in the north in recent days.
“No government is immune, no country or society is immune from this type of violence that is racially motivated, let’s be honest and call it out for what it is.
"What is interesting is we had the British-Irish Council over the last two days in Co Down and the rioting happened parallel with that – I am not saying there is any connection other than when we last had British Irish Council in Dublin, it was the night of the Dublin riots.
"I remember the following morning the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales and the UK government representatives that were there at the time all said we’ve all had similar experiences.
"This is very, very dangerous - this kind of wanton violence but worse, the intimidation of families was quite shocking...the burning out of homes."
"Hilary Benn, the (Northern Ireland ) Secretary of State – he was in the homes, he saw a man coming along with boxes trying to collect their belongings. But he said the place was charred and burnt out and these are scenes we cannot condone. (We) must have zero tolerance for (this).”
Mr Martin said that we must support the respective police forces, in this case the PSNI, the gardaí and others when they are confronted with scenes of “shocking violence."
"(The Northern Ireland executive) is providing additional resources to the PSNI to give them greater capacity to deal with situations like this - they have got to lead from the front as well in terms of calling it out which I witnessed."
"Both the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister did (that) yesterday at the press conference at the conclusion of the British Irish Council and that is the key to dealing with this and also more long term."
Mr Martin also emphasised that need to create a “better climate and culture within society.”
"We do need to engage with communities and hear what communities are saying in given locations, and also continue our awareness and education around difference and around generating a culture of plurality which I witnessed recently in a school."
"Unfortunately social media just put their attention on people – I saw recently after the marches in Cork, two pubs being selected and picked on – (on) social media."
"That is dangerous stuff – these pubs are social places in Cork which we cherish, which our people cherish – we don’t want anything getting in the way of normal life and normal living."
