This article is from page 12 of the 2012-01-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
ADOVCATES for ethnic minorities say that the recession is leading to an increase in the incidents of racist abuse. The Clare Intercultural Network (CIN) have called for greater awareness of race related issues.
CIN co-ordinator Alphonse Basogomba said, “The economy is going down and people are more abusive. We have to make sure that people who can contribute can be allowed to work properly.”
He said that politicians and people in positions of authority should undergo equality training.
“This has to be embedded in our value as human beings,” he added.
Mr Basogomba was speaking after a man was convicted for assaulting Nigerian taxi driver Batholomew Omoifo in Ennis in June 2010.
At Ennis District Court last week, Azriel Higgins (26) of Cregaun, Tobertascáin, Ennis, received a prison sentence for an unprovoked assault on Mr Omoifo.
The court previously heard that Higgins assaulted a taxi driver after not paying a fare. The court heard that Higgins headbutted the driver causing € 2,400 worth of damage to his teeth. The court was also told that damage totaling € 761 was caused to the taxi.
The incident has provoked a flurry of comments on social networking sites and discussion groups.
One poster on boards.ie pappyodaniel stated, “It just happens that this incident happened in Ennis. Racism is a very common problem for black taxi drivers all over the country. This incident went to court and because Mr Omoifo spoke up against racism when given the opportunity to do so in front of the media it has been highlighted nationwide. I don’t believe this incident highlights Ennis to be a hotspot for racial inequality, it’s the country as a whole.”
Another poster Dr Fuzzenstein stated, “Abusing someone on the basis of what they look like is wrong and sick in the head, but sadly it’s everywhere on this planet…And I also believe that Ennis is no worse than anywhere else.”