Racism ‘raised its ugly head’ right throughout the county
Refugees are being housed at this unit in Cookstown Industrial Estate

Racism ‘raised its ugly head’ right throughout the county

RACISM has “raised its ugly head” amid the “concerning rise of the far-right”, according to a councillor who is calling for anti-racism measures needed to respond to the discourse around immigration.

South Dublin County Council stated in December that a major challenge is increasing housing supply to meet demand and that the response to accommodate Ukrainian refugees fleeing war is putting further “pressure” on the council’s systems.

Refugees are being housed in the Maldron Hotel in Newlands, Ibis Hotel, the former SIAC building, Citywest Hotel, and Cookstown Industrial Estate, and residents are protesting their lack of consultation with authorities.

Some of the terminology surrounding the campaigns being run by those in opposition to government’s refugee policy sees phrases such as “Ireland is full” being used.

In response, groups have been established to conduct counter-protests to welcome refugees into communities through ‘Tallaght For All’, ‘Drimnagh For All’, ‘Ballyfermot and Cherry Orchard For All’ type groups.

At a recent meeting of South Dublin County Council, Cllr Francis Timmons raised a motion calling for the authority to produce anti-racism ephemera and develop social inclusion programmes to combat racism across the county.

“It’s raised its ugly head right throughout Dublin, as we know,” Cllr Timmons said.

“People are escaping dreadful situations of war, famine, political affiliations, members of the LGBT community coming here looking for safety.

“In general they have been met, by the majority of people I believe are very decent and welcoming.

“I would be very concerned about the rise of the far-right.

“I think they need to be challenged, I think people need to be educated and generally I don’t believe that most people are racist but I do believe there is a bit of work to be done.

He added: “I think its important to counter some of the language that’s being used, which I think is very unfortunate.

“I don’t ever remember Clondalkin being brought into disrepute and some of the videos, and some of the horrible stuff that’s being going around.”

Cllr Timmons called for some sort of action to occur in South Dublin County to link in with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21, 2023.

Cllr William Carey said that “certain groups” are “taking advantage of genuine fears” held by residents in the Clondalkin area.

“These fears have accrued for the simple reason that this government has failed to communicate with local residents,” says Cllr Carey (Sinn Féin).

“The misinformation, downright lies that are projected through social media in relation to a lot of these issues are allowed to go unchallenged.

“The reason they go unchallenged and why people pick them up is the truth is not given out.

“If we don’t fill that vacuum with the correct information – in other words, the reality of what the position is in relation to whose being brought into an area, what the circumstances are and how they’re being addressed – then those who wish to stir up fear in area are freed up to do that.”

The local authority reported that the community team works to develop appropriate anti-racism and social inclusion programmes and are presently working to develop action plans with community centres and social inclusion events.

The motion was supported by members of the Clondalkin, Newcastle, Rathcoole, Saggart and Brittas area committee meeting.

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