Xenophobic language and migrant violence
Deputy Kenny links the murder of Josip Strok to rising hateful rhetoric against migrants and warns that such language is being echoed in the House. The Taoiseach offers sympathy to the family, notes the Garda investigation, and says he cannot comment further.
Josip Strok was a Croatian man, a carpenter, who came to Ireland for a better life. Two weeks ago, he was murdered. In the eyes of his attackers, who said he was not speaking English, he was not welcome in Ireland. That is absolutely grotesque with regard to migrants and others coming into this country. The Taoiseach will agree with me that hateful and xenophobic language is trickling down to individuals who will weaponise this horrible, toxic language and use grotesque violence. I hate to say this but unfortunately some of that xenophobic rhetoric is being used in this House. I ask people who use this language to think again given the horrible stuff going on in our country at this time. Does the Taoiseach agree that this rhetoric is trickling down, not only to immigrants coming into this country-----
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-----but to everybody in the country, and that it is a threat to everybody?
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I thank Deputy Kenny for raising this matter. I will answer his question in two parts. First, in regard to the horrific death of Josip, I extend my sympathy and that of everyone in this House to his family and friends. I spoke briefly to the Garda Commissioner in regard to this matter. I am conscious that there is an ongoing, active Garda investigation. I do not wish to say anything to cut across that. I understand the Garda has been linking with the appropriate embassy in terms of ensuring an information flow and that the family are kept up to date.
Not being able to comment on the specific case, I will comment more broadly. I very much welcome the comments the Deputy has made in the House today about the importance of language and not sowing division. This is a country that is the better for migration. Yes, we have challenges. Yes, the Government and governments across the world need to do better in terms of how our systems operate and our accommodation responses. However, let us be very clear. Looking around an Irish hospital, restaurant, childcare setting or anywhere one might go today, one will see in real time the benefits of immigration to this country.