Make racist incidents a separate offence, urges garda

A senior garda has said a review of the law may be required to make it easier to prosecute crimes involving racist abuse.

Sgt Trevor Laffan, based in Cork’s Anglesea St station, said some offences which involve elements of racism were easier to prosecute as public order offences, rather than as racist offences.

He was speaking after he helped to launch a report last week by immigrant support organisation Nasc on racism and discrimination in Cork. The report shows more than 80% of people surveyed who said they had experienced racist abuse had not reported to it to the gardaí because they believed no action would be taken.