JERRY CROWLEY,
Sir, - Recent events have proved, if proof were needed, that racism in Ireland is a deadly virus which needs to be treated at different levels of society - above all, by clear and positive leadership from the Government.
In Dublin, a Chinese student was murdered simply because of the colour of his skin; in Co Meath a man was convicted for threatening an asylum-seeker with a loaded shotgun simply because he had formed a relationship with the man's 34-year old daughter; and in Cork, the Fianna Fáil TD Noel O'Flynn made outrageous statements about illegal immigrants being "spongers and freeloaders", intent on screwing the system.
Mr O'Flynn must have forgotten the endless parade through the tribunals and the DIRT enquiry of respectable citizens in suits who quite clearly screwed the system and equally clearly didn't give a damn. Tens of thousands of our fellow-citizens had bogus offshore accounts and were encouraged to have them by senior people in our financial institutions. Very senior politicians, including some former colleagues of Mr O'Flynn, were up to their necks in corruption and there is no sign yet that any of them will ever be convicted. If there are freeloaders and spongers among us, it is obvious that most of them are our own kith and kin and many occupy high places in our society.
Of course we need a firm, fair and efficient immigration policy to manage the unprecedented influx of non-nationals and the development of an increasingly multicultural society. It is the Government's responsibility to explain fully to the public what that policy is and how it works.
It is also the Government's responsibility to ensure that particular local communities do not feel swamped by heavy concentrations of asylum-seekers. Above all, it is the Government's responsibility to ensure that the racist attitudes of some of our citizens do not degenerate into intimidation, violence and murder.
I have worked in several African countries (including Islamic Sudan) over a period of 12 years. Not once did I experience any disrespect, insult or intimidation because of the pinkish-grey colour of my skin. I am saddened and ashamed that so many non-nationals cannot say the same of their experience in our much-touted Ireland Of The Welcomes. - Yours, etc.,
JERRY CROWLEY, Belgrove Lawn, Chapelizod, Dublin 20.
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Sir, - I would like to express my deep sorrow at the racist killing of Mr Zhao Liu Tao on the streets of Dublin a few days ago. This murder must be condemned by all Irish people and especially by our political and religious leaders.
I would also like to take this opportunity to condemn the racist statements of the Fianna Fáil TD Mr Noel O' Flynn. He should immediately be expelled from the Fianna Fáil party and the Director of Public Prosecutions should look into the possibility of charging him under the Incitement to Hatred Act. - Yours, etc.,
SEAN GALLAGHER, Neuweiler, Germany.
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Sir, - Thank you for publishing Frank Kennedy's letter (February 4th) inviting people to e-mail condolences to the family of Zhao Liu Tao. It gives people the opportunity to express the sadness and horror they felt at his death.
Having taught English at UCD to foreign students from around the world, I am only too familiar with stories of the racist abuse experienced by so many of them, particularly those from Asia or Africa. But I never thought it would get to the stage when the racists within our society took to murder. It is truly appalling.
All of us must wake up to the reality of the racism within our society and do something about it. Every one of us can combat it in our own small ways in our own milieu. Ireland is all the richer for the variety of peoples who live here. I wish Frank Kennedy and and his beautiful Chinese daughter a future of hope in a better Ireland. - Yours, etc.,
Dr NOREEN O'CARROLL, Carysfort Park, Blackrock, Co Dublin.