Patrick Maphoso, originally from South Africa appeared at Dublin Criminal Court last Tuesday for the hearing of two Irish men who allegedly attacked him in 2009.
Maphoso claims he was the victim of a racial attack when he was canvassing for the local elections in Ireland two years ago. Under Irish law, legal residents who have been in the country for more than five years can run for local office.
“The state will be laying charges under the Incitement of Hatred Act,” Maphoso said referring to the proceedings. “This is a landmark case (as it is) the first time that someone has been taken to the criminal court on that (racism) case.”
Maphoso alleges that while campaigning for a seat on the Dublin City Council, the two men came up to him and told him that: “If I didn’t want a bullet in my head, I must get out of the road”.
“It wasn’t a drunk person, they really meant it,” he said.
“The guy said that black people make him sick and that I should go.”
Although he failed to win a seat he received widespread coverage relating to the alleged racial abuse he fell victim to.
Living in Ireland since 2001, Maphoso is a South African citizen and an “Irish resident”.
He claims that racism has increased in Ireland since the downturn began.
In related news the Irish Government is being urged to make renewed efforts to protect people from racism by the European Network Against Racism Ireland.
During last Monday’s International Day Against Racism in Ireland, the network said there was evidence to support the claims that racist incidents were on the increase, based on their recent report.
“Findings from the report on Ireland indicate that racism has fallen off the political agenda. This is of significant concern, given the risks at the moment including the recession and the rise of extremism in EU member states,” said Catherine Lynch author of the report.
“If we continue to ignore the problem, racism will be fallout of the current recession,” she added.
According to the Migration Policy Index, Ireland is among the least prepared states to help new immigrants enter the Irish school system.
“Ireland shows little respect for the family life of its non-EU residents and discourages their integration once arrived,” says the report
The international study compared integration policies in 31 countries and concluded that “boom time funding and projects” failed to create systems to enable Irish schools to address and monitor the needs of migrant children.
“Migrants with specific needs enjoy less favorable targeted measures than in most new immigration countries,” says the report.
“Government is restricting family access to work, increasing fees and cutting funds, including for the Equality Authority, which may undermine its discrimination work,” it says.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.kaydog1 | Jul 12, 2011, 05:51 PM EDT
I too think the poll question is worded in a manipulative fashion. I don't feel that simply because one does not embrace unlimited immigration that one is a racist or mired in the past. There is nothing inherently wrong about countries having a national identity, and you can't maintain an identity if you have no control over the numbers, types, and acclimitization of immigrants. Ireland has never been Switzerland which has never been Germany which has never been Spain. Those who try to tell us that there is no place for a national identity, no place for a nation of "Ireland" are doing this to break your power to oppose the world that THEY want to create. They want you to switch your loyalty to SOMETHING that they would construct in place of our current world order, but they are not being honest about this new world they would create. They don't say, "Look at how our New World Order will work to make your life better than the times when you had your own culture and national govt to fall back on." Instead, they try to shame you into silence as they take away your religion, your culture, your political choices, your jobs, and your control over the education of your children. Anyone who reads the news out of England reads of pensioners forbidden to put up Christmas decorations because their presence might offend Muslims, of local government councils shelling out huge amounts to house and support immigrants on the dole, of parts of London and Paris where only Muslims dare go, and of local laws and customs being forbidden or overruled by dictates on high from their faceless European bureaucratic masters. Uncontrolled immigration is just one step in their grande design, but it is a major tool in their quest to dilute any voices in opposition to what they want the world to be. Ireland can end up just like England, but it doesn't have to.
nonirish | Jun 23, 2011, 07:19 AM EDT
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nonirish | Jun 23, 2011, 07:18 AM EDT
I've been living in this tribal country for over 4 years. The longer i stay here, the more disgusting irish seem to me. You hate everyone and everything that's Not irish. I travelled nearly all the countries in Europe and i've never seen so backwater people like here. You were conquered by English that gave a language. Amarican multi-nationals gave you the money recently ( that you mismanaged anyway). You are 100 years behind another west european countries, if it goes about social development. Best good luck to you in catching-up with Foreign countries and its People. Get real!!!
Pittsburghkid | Mar 25, 2011, 11:31 PM EDT
This is how it all started in America. What solution does the Black Man want? He has no witnesses, or perp. Is every Irishmen guilty? You wait the EU is going to flood Ireland with Immigrates. Irishmen will be guilty of racism, and will be punished for it. Irishmen will be subjected to quotas that favor immigrants.
seanskelligs | Mar 24, 2011, 03:55 PM EDT
I resent the choice that if I say yes its because I think Ireland is living in the past and if I say no then I am enlightened. I am racist and believe we owe our own children our duty, care, jobs etc. I owe nothing to Africans. These are the economic facts of life and not because I live in the dark ages (forgive the pun). Its because I am not politically correct and would not hire a foreigner in preference to our own. Shame on you wording your poll thus
seanskelligs | Mar 24, 2011, 03:50 PM EDT
If he does not like the way he is treated then dont stay. He has been rejected by the people in every election so is publicity seeking. Our duty is firstly to our own and if that means others finding it hard to get jobs etc so be it. He is not owed a living by the Irish and obviously was not satisfied with his lot in SA.I personally would employ an Irishman in preference to anyone else if he could do the job. Its Ireland not SA- Get over it
GeorgeDillon | Mar 24, 2011, 02:31 PM EDT
As now invariable with Irish Central, the poll is constructed by an imbecile. The choices are either to insult Ireland or to support unlimited immigration to Ireland. No other option. Irish Central, what goof factory turns out your columnists?
antoman | Mar 24, 2011, 01:31 PM EDT
He had failed to get elected and was stood on the road waiting for a bus.These two Irish who prevented him from topping himself deserve recognition.
texasmonica | Mar 24, 2011, 01:31 PM EDT
Hmm well a little disheartened, as I have wanted to visit Ireland since I was a child. I am American of Mexican descent (Mexican American) and grew up in the barrios of Texas;so I am quite familiar with racism. I am educated, speak both Spanish and English, have brown hair, brown eyes and beautiful brown skin. I rather have this idealistic view in my head about Irish people being fun loving, loud, friendly warm people. People always ask me "Why Ireland? Why not England, Spain, Italy,...my response is always the same "H0w can it not be Ireland, I think yours is a beautiful country, even though I have only been there in books, movies,etc...
antoman | Mar 24, 2011, 10:15 AM EDT
What was Maphoso doing on the road anyway?The words used by the two Irish lads were coarse but this could be a case of suicide prevention.
antoman | Mar 24, 2011, 09:52 AM EDT
“If I didn’t want a bullet in my head,I must get out of the road”.Has it occured to Maphoso that perhaps a gun was being test fired in the area and that the two lads were merely looking out for him?“The guy said that black people make him sick and that I should go.”This could be a legitimate illness and needs further research.
Towngate | Mar 24, 2011, 09:08 AM EDT
PADDY MAPHOSO got a valuable demonstration of what it's like to live in Ireland today. If he thinks that's bad,he should make a study of how they treat their own race; especially so-called "Returners".