7 January 1999 Edition
Roma group in appeal to Taoiseach
By Mícheál MacDonncha
A delegation from the County Monaghan Roma Support Group met Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in Dublin two days before Christmas. The Group supports the Roma community of 47 people currently living in Castleblayney, County Monaghan, and awaiting the outcome of their appeal against orders for their deportation from Ireland.
The meeting with the Taoiseach was secured by Cavan/Monaghan Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín O Caoláin after the 47 Roma people and their support group expressed concern that their appeal could soon be lost and immediate deportation would follow.
The delegation to the Taoiseach was led by Support Group Chairperson Julie-Ann McPartland and included members Eileen Callan, Brendan Sherlock and Mary Lennon. The Sinn Féin TD accompanied the delegation to the Taoiseach and the meeting, scheduled for 30 minutes, lasted an hour.
The Roma Support Group members described to the Taoiseach their work with the families in Castleblayney and addressed both the specific case of the Roma and the wider issue of refugees and asylum-seekers. In a written appeal to the Taoiseach they said:
``It is no exaggeration to say that the Roma people are terrified that they may face deportation in a matter of days or weeks after Christmas.
``The Roma people fear returning to Romania where they have been persecuted. Their homes have been burned and bull-dozed and they have been physically attacked. Their fear was evident during the appeal hearings. One Roma has a heart condition and was so distressed that he had to receive medical attention while he was in Dublin for the hearings.
``The deportation of the Roma people would be doubly tragic as they have integrated so well into the community in County Monaghan. The children who for many weeks were clearly anxious and subdued are now settled and happy in the school which 15 of them attend daily in Castleblayney GAA Hall. They are learning English and the three Rs. Older members of the community attend night classes.
``The Roma people have been well received in County Monaghan. The establishment of the Support Group, with representatives from throughout the County, was a manifestation of this. None of our group have worked in any lobbying or organising capacity before. We are simply concerned individuals. Our primary concern is the dignity of people whom we believe should be granted the right to stay in our country and be welcomed as fellow citizens.
``Most of the men in the Roma community have trades but our current laws prevent them from working. We have found them to be an industrious people and they are frustrated at not being able to earn a living, contrary to the falsehoods about these and other asylum-seekers being only interested in `sponging' on social welfare.
``The anxiety at the prospect of the failure of appeal and immediate deporation is not confined to the Roma community. Those who have welcomed them here dread the prospect. So also do individual members of the Garda Síochána who have got to know the group and who have spoken to us of their concerns. It would be their task to enforce deportation orders.
``The County Monaghan Roma Support Group appeals to the Taoiseach to take on board the reality of the refugee situation. The Roma children especially deserve a decent future free of the persecution which their parents and grandparents have had to endure. We urge the Taoiseach's humanitarian intervention if the appeals fail.''
At a press conference after the meeting Caoimhghín O Caoláin backed the call for the Taoiseach's intervention. Addressing the wider issues he said:
``The plight of the Roma highlights the failure of our present refugee and immigration laws. Asylum-seekers live in fear while they await adjudication. They are not allowed to work and must depend on social welfare.
``This must change. We need a new policy which recognises that we are already a multi-cultural society. We have nothing to fear from people of different cultures coming to live and work in Ireland.
``There are two aspects to this issue. First there are those seeking asylum from persecution in their home countries. The system must be made more humane for them. The Refugee Act should be implemented in full. Full language and legal services should be made available to them during the appeal procedure.
``Secondly we must relax our immigration restrictions so that those with skills that can contribute to our economy are allowed the freedom to travel and live here. Cultural diversity enriches us all. Fear of it is the root of racism. The lead must be given by the Government.''
Pat Guerin of the Anti-Racism Campaign also spoke at the press conference. He highlighted recent cases of official ill-treatment of refugees and called for an end to the ``systematic persecution of asylum-seekers in this country''.
An indication of the goodwill towards the Roma people in County Monaghan was given on the night of the meeting with the Taoiseach. The Roma Support Group organised a Christmas party for the children at which members of the Corcaghan Branch of Comhaltas Ceolteoirí Éireann staged an hour-long performance of Irish traditional music.
A delegation from the County Monaghan Roma Support Group met Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in Dublin two days before Christmas. The Group supports the Roma community of 47 people currently living in Castleblayney, County Monaghan, and awaiting the outcome of their appeal against orders for their deportation from Ireland.
The meeting with the Taoiseach was secured by Cavan/Monaghan Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín O Caoláin after the 47 Roma people and their support group expressed concern that their appeal could soon be lost and immediate deportation would follow.
The delegation to the Taoiseach was led by Support Group Chairperson Julie-Ann McPartland and included members Eileen Callan, Brendan Sherlock and Mary Lennon. The Sinn Féin TD accompanied the delegation to the Taoiseach and the meeting, scheduled for 30 minutes, lasted an hour.
The Roma Support Group members described to the Taoiseach their work with the families in Castleblayney and addressed both the specific case of the Roma and the wider issue of refugees and asylum-seekers. In a written appeal to the Taoiseach they said:
``It is no exaggeration to say that the Roma people are terrified that they may face deportation in a matter of days or weeks after Christmas.
``The Roma people fear returning to Romania where they have been persecuted. Their homes have been burned and bull-dozed and they have been physically attacked. Their fear was evident during the appeal hearings. One Roma has a heart condition and was so distressed that he had to receive medical attention while he was in Dublin for the hearings.
``The deportation of the Roma people would be doubly tragic as they have integrated so well into the community in County Monaghan. The children who for many weeks were clearly anxious and subdued are now settled and happy in the school which 15 of them attend daily in Castleblayney GAA Hall. They are learning English and the three Rs. Older members of the community attend night classes.
``The Roma people have been well received in County Monaghan. The establishment of the Support Group, with representatives from throughout the County, was a manifestation of this. None of our group have worked in any lobbying or organising capacity before. We are simply concerned individuals. Our primary concern is the dignity of people whom we believe should be granted the right to stay in our country and be welcomed as fellow citizens.
``Most of the men in the Roma community have trades but our current laws prevent them from working. We have found them to be an industrious people and they are frustrated at not being able to earn a living, contrary to the falsehoods about these and other asylum-seekers being only interested in `sponging' on social welfare.
``The anxiety at the prospect of the failure of appeal and immediate deporation is not confined to the Roma community. Those who have welcomed them here dread the prospect. So also do individual members of the Garda Síochána who have got to know the group and who have spoken to us of their concerns. It would be their task to enforce deportation orders.
``The County Monaghan Roma Support Group appeals to the Taoiseach to take on board the reality of the refugee situation. The Roma children especially deserve a decent future free of the persecution which their parents and grandparents have had to endure. We urge the Taoiseach's humanitarian intervention if the appeals fail.''
At a press conference after the meeting Caoimhghín O Caoláin backed the call for the Taoiseach's intervention. Addressing the wider issues he said:
``The plight of the Roma highlights the failure of our present refugee and immigration laws. Asylum-seekers live in fear while they await adjudication. They are not allowed to work and must depend on social welfare.
``This must change. We need a new policy which recognises that we are already a multi-cultural society. We have nothing to fear from people of different cultures coming to live and work in Ireland.
``There are two aspects to this issue. First there are those seeking asylum from persecution in their home countries. The system must be made more humane for them. The Refugee Act should be implemented in full. Full language and legal services should be made available to them during the appeal procedure.
``Secondly we must relax our immigration restrictions so that those with skills that can contribute to our economy are allowed the freedom to travel and live here. Cultural diversity enriches us all. Fear of it is the root of racism. The lead must be given by the Government.''
Pat Guerin of the Anti-Racism Campaign also spoke at the press conference. He highlighted recent cases of official ill-treatment of refugees and called for an end to the ``systematic persecution of asylum-seekers in this country''.
An indication of the goodwill towards the Roma people in County Monaghan was given on the night of the meeting with the Taoiseach. The Roma Support Group organised a Christmas party for the children at which members of the Corcaghan Branch of Comhaltas Ceolteoirí Éireann staged an hour-long performance of Irish traditional music.