Councillor's refugee remarks attacked

A Nigerian-born Ennis councillor has criticised remarks by a fellow councillor who claimed people in the town had suffered from "outsiders".

Mr Frankie Neylon (Ind) told the January meeting of Ennis Town Council that "a certain amount of misfortune has been suffered by people of Ennis at the hands of outsiders".

Dr Taiwoo Matthew yesterday described Mr Neylon's statement as "unfortunate and insulting" and claimed acts of intimidation against the refugee community in the town could lead to a loss of life unless people were educated about each other.

However, Mr Neylon said he stood over his comments. "Ennis is a soft touch for refugees and there is a lack of information about how many are living in Ennis and that should be made available to the council," he said yesterday. "Ninety-eight per cent of the refugees here are decent people, but it is the remainder that I have a problem with."

Dr Matthew (43) said the Co Clare town would be a poorer place without the immigrant population and not just from an economic point of view. "The indigenous population has a great opportunity to capitalise on the diversity in Ennis now, and positive statements should be made to highlight the contribution by immigrants."

Ennis, with a population of 26,000, has an estimated refugee population of 800.

One of only two black Africans elected in the local elections last June, Dr Matthew said intimidation was progressive.

"If not checked through people being educated, it could lead to physical abuse and somebody being killed. We can save that pain and irreparable loss now by leading by example."

Ms Orla Ní Eilí of the Irish Refugee Council said asylum-seekers had encountered numerous incidents of intimidation in Ennis.

She cited the example of "young African mothers walking through Ennis's streets who get approached by men asking the time. When they tell them what time it is, the man replies: 'no, it is time you got out of the country'."

Dr Matthew said it was up to councillors as community leaders, local organisations and Church leaders to lead by example to inform and educate the community.