Following the arson attack on the home of asylum seekers in Drogheda at the weekend, People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy has called for urgent measures to ensure the safety of asylum seekers and has sought a Dáil debate on the issue.
Paul Murphy said “The horrific arson attack on the home of asylum seekers in Drogheda at the weekend demonstrates the increasing risk of violent attack that asylum seekers are facing. The Minister needs to take urgent measures to ensure the safety of asylum seekers before someone is killed in one of these attacks. I have written to the Oireachtas Business Committee seeking a debate in the Dáil this week on this issue.
“I appeal to those who protest outside the homes of asylum seekers to stop doing this. It is terrifying for anyone to see and hear threatening and violent protests outside their homes. It is chilling to think about what would have happened if those who rioted at Citywest recently had got into the accommodation, as they tried to do. It is not acceptable to terrorise children or anyone else and it should stop.
“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael should also stop their scapegoating. The arson attack in Drogheda was preceded just days earlier by Simon Harris cynically scapegoating asylum seekers. I’ve no doubt this was an attempt to create division in response to the electoral defeat that Fine Gael suffered the previous weekend.
“Minister Jim O’Callaghan is also engaging in scapegoating of asylum seekers as he pursues his ambition to be Fianna Fáil’s next leader. Scapegoating asylum seekers for your own policy failures or to advance your career ambitions is as immoral as it is dangerous. There should be no more of it.”
NOTE: A solidarity protest will be held in Drogheda this Saturday 12:30pm
Details:
Organised by Drogheda Solidarity Community Action
Saturday 8 November 12:30pm
West Street, Drogheda