An Oversight of Racism in Ireland

Eire Dialogue is hosting a discussion panel to raise awareness about racism in Ireland. Our speakers will bring a better understanding of racism experienced by the Irish society at large and its effects. Join us on Thursday, 3rd December at 6pm.

➤ Speakers

• Shane O’curry, Director, Enar Ireland

• Ellie Kisyombe, Mawalian Activist

• Lorraine O’connor, Muslim Sisters of Eire

• Vivek Roy, Eire Dialogue  

As defined by the Oxford Dictionary, racism is “prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior”.
iReport.ie, an online racist incident reporting system managed by the Irish Network Against Racism (INAR), a member of the European Network Against Racism (ENAR) found that for a variety of reasons, 5 out of 6 people would not report to Gardaí or official bodies. iReport gathers data by allowing victims of hate crime to anonymously if the person so wishes report incidents. The system also allows for witnesses and by-standers to report of incidents in their communities.
In their 2019 issue iReport recorded 50 racist assaults which was their highest number reported since they started in 2013. 45 threats to kill or harm was recorded along with 92 ongoing harassment cases also their highest rate of repeat harassment cases to date, 31 damages to property, 12 theft cases and 20 racist graffiti incidents. An increase in the number of victims of crime who were under 18 (20% of targeted persons). Growth in the number of far-right websites and social media identities, particularly targeting asylum seekers and refugees, but also young people of African background and/or Muslim faith. iReport also noted low rates of trust in An Garda Síochána and low rates of reporting for all crimes. They were even reporting of racial profiling and assault of ethnic minority persons by An Garda Síochána.
This panel will raise awareness of racism in the Ireland. Our speakers will bring better understanding racism experienced by the Irish society at large and its effects