AN ORGANISATION WHICH works with migrants says it is receiving an average of 5 reports a week of serious racist incidents.

The Immigrant Council of Ireland says it has been told about verbal and physical abuse, as well as reports of discrimination by unnamed Government agencies.

It said incidents have been reported on public transport, in offices, on the street and in neighbourhoods.

The head of the Immigrant Council said the figures have increased significantly since a public information campaign began in Dublin at the end of March, but said that racism remains under-reported in Ireland.

“While the use of physical violence is alarming and completely unacceptable, it is also worth noting the psychological damage which victims are reporting,” said Denise Charlton. “Long after an incident people continue to suffer lack of sleep, nightmares and periods of fear.”

The organisation is trying to encourage more people to come forward to report racism when it happens.

“Recording incidents is important if we are to get a true picture of what is happening in the country and to ensure our laws are robust enough to deal with this problem,” said Charlton.

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