CORMAC O'LEARY,
Sir, - As a citizen of Cork city I am writing to support Fintan O'Toole's comment (The Irish Times, February 5th) on TD Noel O'Flynn's dangerous statements regarding asylum-seekers here. The TD is well aware of the tensions that exist in the city and also must know that incidents of violence against foreign nationals have already been reported. Very little is needed to inflame the situation.
These facts make Mr O'Flynn's outbreaks all the more worrying. It is now, more than ever, that we need responsible and humane leadership from our political figures, if we are to avoid a repetition of the tragic murder of Zhao Liu Tao in Dublin.
Mr O'Flynn's attempts to blame immigrants for crime and misbehaviour on the streets has disturbing echoes in history. There's a grim litany of political figures using "outsiders" or minorities as scapegoats during times of recession.
Maybe Mr O'Flynn might concentrate his energies towards the ongoing economic disadvantages that exist within his own constituency, rather than deflecting blame towards the powerless and vulnerable.
In an era when endemic corruption has been exposed at the highest levels of the Irish political establishment, even the most uninformed of voters must question the timing of these lurid diversions.
Despite Mr O'Flynn and his ilk, Irish society is changing from its insular past. The Cork that most citizens enjoy today is becoming as multi-ethnic and colourful as any city in the EU. This optimistic mix of races and cultures can only enrich the country. Let our common decency and humanity prevail. - Yours, etc.,
CORMAC O'LEARY,
Mount Nebo Avenue,
Gurranabraher,
Cork.