News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

Dr Syed Kamran Haider Bukhari has spoken out about his hurt and distress after being kicked and punched in a nightclub by a female reveler who later branded him a 'n*****'.

Dr Bukhari -- one of 100 doctors recruited to Ireland by the HSE -- told the Herald that the incident has caused him to reconsider whether he will remain in Ireland.

"I love this country. I work extremely hard and I have made so many friends and have had so many good experiences here.

"But this is not the first time I have been subject to racism. Somebody has to stand up and stay 'stop'," he said.

"I don't know if I want to remain here any longer.

"I was going to bring my two daughters and wife over from Pakistan but why would I want to have them living among racism?

"I don't want them subjected to the type of attitudes and attacks that I've suffered from," he added.
The 32-year-old junior doctor works in Drogheda for the Louth-Meath Mental Health Services.
He said that he was out socializing with friends last Monday night when he was assaulted by a young female.

"A young girl who was clearly drunk approached me on the dance floor before shouting nasty names at me. She punched and slapped me but she was taken away by her friends who apologized.

"But then she came back. She was shouting racial expressions at me before punching and kicking me. I couldn't defend myself, it's not in my nature to [retaliate].

"I just took the abuse but I couldn't believe the reaction of the nightclub."

Dr Bukhari told the Herald that when he approached the night club staff they "laughed at me and made fun of me because I'm a psychiatric worker".
(Source: Evening Herald)

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Efforts are at an advanced stage for the Castlebar area to host what organizers are describing as a ‘Festival of Football’ and one local councilor believes it could be ‘the start of one of the greatest things for the town’.

The steering committee of the Mayo International Super Cup attended the December meeting of Castlebar Town Council to pitch their idea to councilors and appeal for funding assistance.

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(Source: The Mayo News)

Meath

The number of deaths on the road in Co Meath has again fallen dramatically - to just four in 2011 - making it one of the safest counties in the country for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians and providing a major boost for road safety campaigners and officials.

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Nster.com