Madam, - Mr Justice Paul Carney, in his lecture on Tuesday night at UCC, commented on the large increase in the number of fatal stabbings that occur in Ireland annually.
He cited as a contributory factor to this increase "the immigrant community who do not integrate, buy vodka and beer in the off-licence and sit around a table in somebody's flat drinking it in large quantities. When the row breaks out there is invariably close to hand the knife which has been used in the preparation of vegetables". Apparently this is one of the "scenarios" that account for "dozens of deaths every year".
This sweeping statement would have us believe that the immigrant community at large living in Ireland are knife-yielding drinkers with a tendency to commit fatal crimes. Indeed, such a statement from a person of Judge Carney's reputation has the potential to influence public opinion and go so far as to erode the good relationships that exist between many Irish people and immigrants throughout the towns and villages of Ireland, many of which may have taken years to establish.
Furthermore, Judge Carney's comments on integration undermine the distance that those in decision-making positions can be from the reality on the ground. If, as Judge Carney states, fatal stabbings are "out of control", then a more balanced and informed approach is necessary for a real solution to be found. - Yours, etc,
ISSAH HUSEINI, National Co-ordinator, New Communities Partnership, Cornmarket, Dublin 8.