Sir, - The first sign of a guilty conscience is pre-emptive denial. Is that why that dreaded phrase, "I'm not a racist but. . " rings so hollow?
There now are two local issues that rally mass meetings in Ireland. One is the threat of The Dump. The other is a house for refugees. It is horrendous that people who may have fled persecution are categorised as something to fear, like rubbish or toxic waste.
As someone from a "mixed" family (make what you want of that word) I have seen subtle and persistent scaremongering before. It is plain dangerous. There are degrees of racism and it is easy to create fertile ground for extreme racism. The incompetence and lack of leadership by our Government in stamping out the roots of racism is staggering. Where is "zero tolerance" when it is needed?
We are not a liberal society yet. - Yours, etc.,
Danny Haskins, Oatlands, Wicklow.