Call for inquiry into racist email sent from An Post
The European Network Against Racism (ENAR) Ireland, the national network of anti racist organisations, said an immediate investigation by the Department of Communications was needed into the circulation of the racist material from an An Post email address.
On Thursday night Mr Browne commented on the email on his TV3 show stating that there where indications it had also been circulated around email address in other public offices.
Speaking at the start of European Week Against Racism, ENAR Ireland National Coordinator Catherine Lynch said the email address used to send the offensive material to journalist Vincent Browne was an ‘An Post’ email.
“The content of the email was extreme and a clear incitement to hatred towards the immigrant community. This situation highlights clearly the gaps in our system to counter and address this sort of offensive action.”
ENAR Ireland have been in contact with the Garda on the matter.
But Mrs Lynch added: “Incitement to Hatred Legislation has been universally deemed too weak to be of real use, and we are still waiting for the Irish government to define racism as a crime in Irish law. However, the circulation of racist material via a government agency e-mail should be enough to get the government to take action.”
ENAR Ireland called on Minister for Communications, Eamon Ryan to conduct an immediate inquiry into the incident with a commitment to take appropriate disciplinary and legal action.
In 2003 circulation of a racist email in the office of the director of public prosecutions led to disciplinary action being taken against a number of staff.
ENAR Ireland has also sought a commitment from the Government to publish as soon as possible draft legislation giving effect to the EU Framework Decision on Racism and Xenophobia. Ireland is obliged to take necessary action on this EU Decision by November 2010.
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