Ignoring migrants' religious communities fails Ireland's integration efforts

The practical supports offered by immigrants' faith communities enables them to settle here, form social bonds and to feel at home here and flourish in a way Government supports do not

When people move to Ireland, their faith community offers a range of supports that enable them to settle here: local knowledge, signposting to State services, housing and employment opportunities, and friendship.

The coming weeks promise updates and reflections on the investigations and arrests following the anti-immigration violence in Drogheda and Citywest. 

The scenes witnessed in the past few weeks are forcing us to reckon — quickly — with bigotry that is getting more and more brazen. People living in direct provision and emergency accommodation fear for their safety. They fear harassment and assault. They fear their temporary homes will become the site of violent protests — or will be set ablaze while their children sleep.