The Dáil condemned a series of attacks on Jewish property in the Portobello area of Dublin. Racist graffiti consisting of swastikas and SS signs were sprayed on the building.
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell said that all patrolling gardaí at Kevin Street were devoting extra attention to the area concerned with a view to bringing about a cessation of the incidents of vandalism.
"There is a grim irony in such attacks taking place when we have recently been remembering and commemorating the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the concentration camps operated by a fascist dictatorship and which were the cause of so much suffering to Jewish people."
In a statement, read to the House by Minister of State Ivor Callely, he said the attacks betrayed the same mentality which contributed to making such enormities possible.
"It is recognised that the manifestations of such a mentality must be legislated against. The Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989 created an offence of publishing or distributing material or using words or behaviour that are threatening, abusive or insulting and are intended, or are likely, to stir up hatred."
Mr Callely said the Minister would not tolerate any attacks on members of minorities in society, and that there was no place in society for people who carried out that type of crime, and that graffiti writers, when apprehended, were arrested and charged under the Criminal Damage Act, 1991.
The matter was raised by Green Party TD for Dublin South East John Gormley, who said the Portobello area was a beautiful part of Dublin consisting of terraced houses and used to be a Jewish neighbourhood many years ago.
"It is no longer the case but, of course, it retains many Jewish landmarks and this gives the area its distinctive appeal." Mr Gormley said the rise of racist groups, even if they were a small minority of people, should be a matter of concern for everybody.
"I believe that they are guilty of incitement to hatred as well as defacing property."
