Rat infestations, blocked sewers, substandard housing, lack of play areas — a report on Traveller accommodation in Galway city and county paints a bleak picture of the living conditions.

Today, a delegation to the UN, including Equality Minister David Stanton, will be scrutinised about the country’s policy and record in combating discrimination. It will be found wanting, says Salome Mbugua.

GOVERNMENT policies are exposing asylum seekers to isolation and ghetto-isation, the State’s official human rights watchdog said yesterday.

THE Government is ignoring the growing racism problem and its own policies are adding to the crisis, according to a damning report which has been sent to the United Nations.