Earlier this month, a Kerry teenager avoided criminal conviction at the Tralee District Court despite sending twenty racist messages to former Arsenal footballer Ian Wright.

We would like to offer our solidarity to Ian Wright and express our disappointment at the court ruling made on his case. We believe that there needs to be consequences for acts of racism.  We believe that there need to be consequences for acts of racism. The judge excused the behaviour of the 18 year old as merely that of a ‘naïve young man’ and explained the conviction away by saying he “didn’t see anything to be gained” by giving a criminal conviction. This is not an adequate response to such acts of racism.

Hate crime is often referred to as a ‘message crime,’ indicating to those targeted that they are not part of the national ‘us’. The Irish state must explicitly show its intolerance of racist hate crime and hate speech by ensuring that they are perceived as something that is not accepted in society. It should send a message to those targeted with hate that such acts will not be tolerated.

As with other anti-racism groups in Ireland, we at LMAR are calling for the government to introduce hate crime legislation immediately. As the Irish Network Against Racism (INAR) have said, this is necessary to give protection to people from minority backgrounds in Ireland. We join with them in stressing the need to break the silence on hate crime, and we encourage people to report racism and other hate attacks and to find effective ways to address it.

We at LMAR would like to express our deep sadness at the death of George Nkencho yesterday in Dublin. George, who had mental health issues, was fatally shot by An Garda Síochána. We extend our deepest sympathies to George’s family, his friends and his wider community. 

We expect that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission investigation into George’s death will be carried out with the full vigour and rigour required. 

We also acknowledge the hurt and upset that people are feeling at George’s death and stand in solidarity with the Nkencho family and community, we grieve with them. We are heartened by the solidarity shown by so many people in Ireland at this shocking, tragic incident. 

At the same time we condemn the racist reaction that is to be seen online and we call on the media to report this responsibly and not to use racist and inflammatory language. 

We must stand together against racism in all forms.

On Dec 7th Limerick Movement Against Racism (LMAR) was officially launched. Thanks to all who attended our online event.

If you missed the live webinar that launched LMAR, here is a brief summary of what LMAR is, and who we are.

And here’s a brief introduction to our principles, again from the launch

Catch the full launch webinar here: https://youtu.be/Zuz1W7-FwTk.

We would like to introduce you to the Limerick Movement Against Racism (LMAR). We are a group that is committed to combating racism and all related forms of discrimination in Limerick and the wider community. This webinar aims to introduce you to the movement, introduce our members and inform you on our principles, future goals and how to get involved.

Click here to register for the launch event on Monday Dec 7th at 7.30pm.