Irish Political News

I’ve just returned from Madrid, where I was attending a conference on ‘Open Cities’. I was going to post today about the conference and the aims of this project, which addresses migration flows and integration. But that post will have to wait for another day. While I was away I received text messages and e-mails about the despicable murder of two young Polish workers in the heart of my own constituency, Drimnagh, and since I've returned I've been catching up with press coverage of this case - and of the outpouring of grief, revulsion and anger by local residents. Last night I attended a memorial Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Drimnagh, along with well over 2,000 others from the area.

Although the Gardai are still investigating, there are some things we do know. We know that this was a completely unprovoked attack. It appears to have been pre-meditated, in that one of the young thugs actually went home to get a screwdriver to use as a weapon. And there is speculation that the reason these two men were murdered is that they had – as responsible citizens – refused to buy drink for the youths. It does not seem - as far as we know - to have been a racist attack: these were equal opportunity murderers, although that is small consolation for the relatives or, indeed, the community.

Unfortunately, this case will probably be forgotten - at least by the press - in the weeks and months ahead, as new stories compete for headline space. But it will not be forgotten by Drimnagh people or by local political representatives, regardless of their affiliation. This tragedy has focussed attention on the lack of youth resources in the area, and that is something all of us must address. But – while we desperately need resources such as a gym, swimming pool, playing fields and other gathering places and recreational facilities – we also need to address the culture of casual violence, much of it alcohol-fuelled or alcohol-related. I don’t have the answers, but I do know that we need to start asking the questions. And, together, we will hopefully find some answers.

I attended the launch of Des Geraghty’s new book, 40 Shades of Green, a few weeks ago – but only got time to read it during the past few days. Born in the Liberties, Des – former President of SIPTU – grew up in Drimnagh in a family of committed trade unionists and socialists. In fact, his late brother Hughie was a member of our local branch of the Labour Party.

The book is a timely examination of what it means to be Irish in a new era of interculturalism, and Des also reminds us that Dublin has been home to minority communities – including Jews and Italians – for hundreds of years. He then goes on to celebrate the new communities now adding to our cultural mix – the Eastern Europeans, Chinese and Africans who have come here to work, or to escape political and economic persecution. As a trade unionist, Des knows that perceived difference can result in 'the other' being exploited, and he makes a strong case for improved labour market regulations and domestic measures to prevent such exploitation.

Des points out that, while some migrants may leave in an economic downturn to seek employment elsewhere, many will stay and, as he puts it, will "opt to become part of this society by choice [...] sharing the future with us, however it develops".

One way, of course, of sharing in our common future is to become involved in politics, both passively as voters and actively by standing for elected office. Ensuring that minority communities are involved in the political process is one of the surest ways of preventing marginalisation. That is why I am delighted to see the ‘New Irish’ joining Labour, and I look forward to working with them in Dublin South-Central and elsewhere to build a fairer society.

Meanwhile, I would urge everyone to read 'Forty Shades of Green'.