Racist crimes see 20% rise since 2000

IRELAND has seen a 20% increase in the level of racist crimes and violence since the millenium — the fifth biggest increase in the European Union.

However, levels of racism-fuelled acts of violence are still far lower than what is being experienced in France and Britain, according to a report entitled Racism and Xenophobia in EU Member States.

The report is the first to be published by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights since it was established last March.