Nigerian-Irish councillor spat at during racial attack in Navan

Louise Walsh

A Nigerian-Irish politician who was left shocked and visibly shaken after being spat at in a racial attack on Friday night said she wasn't going to allow anyone to drive her out of her 'home'.

Meath Co Councillor Yemi Adenuga was verbally assaulted while she walked back to her car in Navan's town centre in an incident she has described as 'frightening and disturbing.'

The incident occurred after she returned to Navan from meetings in Slane to help a few residents with various issues.

The Fine Gael councillor said she was so used to hearing 'derogatory' things said to her and 'brushes them off like water', but to get spat on was hugely concerning.

As she walked to her car, she said that as a man passed, he turned and asked if she was 'Yemi'

"Usually I get stopped on the streets of Navan by residents looking for me to help with something, so it is not unusual to be stopped and have a chat with people, so I thought this was one of those kinds of conversations," she said in a social media post shortly after the incident.

"She said 'Shame on you, Shame on you for trying to teach u,s Irish people how to live our lives in our own country."

Shocked, Yemi said she asked the man what he meant, and he told her he had heard her making comments on the radio, suggesting how people should live.

He then said: "You're not welcome here.  You're not my councillor, and I don't recognise you, and if you're not happy with how things are, you can go to the 'f##k back to where you come from"

"That wasn't the worst part, she said.  "He spat on me."

"I'm still trying to gather myself because too many things went through my head."

Cllr Adenuga said she would like to thank two passing people who intervened to make sure she was ok.   The man then left, shouting repeatedly that she was not welcome here and she should 'get the hell out of our country."

"This happened in my town, in a place where I have served as a re-elected public representative for seven years.  I have given and continue to give my service and commitment to the people of this town.

"I've experienced all matters and all forms of discrimination and attack, both online and offline. People are saying derogatory things to me.  I'm so used to hit now, I brush it off like water, but to get spat at!"

She added that if this incident can happen to a public representative, it could happen to anyone.

Cllr Adenuga said she has reported the incident to the gardaí.

"Something needs to change.  This is too close to home for comfort.  It needs to stop."

"Ireland is my home. This is my home, and by God, I'm not going to let anyone tell me otherwise or drive me out of here because this is my home."