A TOTAL OF 67 incidents of racism have been reported to the Immigrant Council of Ireland since the start of the year, according to new figures released today.

The figure represents a sharp increase on the same period last year when 20 such reports were received. However, the increase may be partly as a result of an awareness campaign launched by the group this time last year.

Of the total figure, under-18s were the focus in 26 per cent of cases. Almost a third of incidents happened either at work or in school or college.

The ICI gives the breakdown as follows:

• 21 per cent – in home and local communities (14 instances)
• 15 per cent – at work (10 instances)
• 15 per cent – in an educational institution (10 instances)
• 13 per cent – on the street (9 instances)
• 12 per cent – while accessing government or community services (8 instances)
• 8 per cent – while traveling on public transport (5 instances)
• 8 per cent – on the internet (5 instances)
• 4 per cent – place of leisure (3 instances)
• 4 per cent – other (3 instances)

In terms of the type of incidents reported: 37 per cent were classified as ‘verbal harassment’, 28 per cent concerned discrimination and social exclusion, 15 per cent physical violence, 12 per cent written harassment and 7 per cent property damage and racist graffiti.

“The breakdown of cases shows that racism can occur in any place – even where people would expect the protection of employment law or school and college anti-bullying policies,” CEO of the group Denise Charlton said.

Read: State is failing to protect vulnerable Roma children, says Pavee Point

Read: Man suffers elbow fracture in racist attack in his own driveway