Vol. 529 No. 1
128 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a case (details supplied) at Lewes in Sussex, England, for the passing of racial remarks; the British legislation under which this case was taken; if other Irish citizens who have had similar experiences will be assisted by the Irish authorities in taking legal action under the same legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1897/01]
I am aware of the case mentioned by the Deputy. In February 2000 a person in Britain was charged under the Crime and Disorder Act, 1998 – not the Race Relations Act – with racially aggravated harassment of an Irish citizen. However, that charge was dropped before the matter came to court in April 2000 when the accused pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of harassment under the same Act. He was fined £750, had to pay costs of £50 and a one year order was made restraining the individual concerned from engaging in conduct which would amount to harassment of the victim. The case was brought by the Crown Prosecution Service following a complaint to the police by the Irish citizen.
In cases where serious racially motivated harassment comes to the attention of the Irish Embassy in London – and the case which gave rise to the Deputy's question was not one of them – Irish citizens are advised of the legal redress options available to them under the Race Relations Act. They are also advised to report the offences to the police and/or to the Commission for Racial Equality. It is then a matter for the Crown Prosecution Service to decide whether charges should be brought and under what legislation.
