We’re Sorry For Your Loss, But You Can’t Come In: Irish people’s hatred of Travellers is shameful.

It’s easy to be sympathetic when you don’t have to sacrifice or change. It’s also easy to be sympathetic when you know it won’t ever mean admitting you’re wrong.

Ten people died last week in a fire in Dublin. Five adults, five children- two families. As far as I know, two people survived- a boy of 14 and his four year old brother. Their home destroyed, as well as their neighbours’.

And on one level, the way the country reacted was appropriate: with shock and condolences to the families. Our Taoiseach (that’s a Prime Minister) has asked that flags be flown at half mast during the days of their funerals- which, in a small country, feels appropriate. Sympathy has poured out from everywhere. In all the media- the papers, the radio, the TV news- we’ve heard the story of the families destroyed overnight. Of course we have. And I do believe that it’s mostly genuine. Our hearts do go out to those children, their parents, and all the people left behind.

Okay. You see, here’s where things get difficult. More difficult. Continue reading “We’re Sorry For Your Loss, But You Can’t Come In: Irish people’s hatred of Travellers is shameful.”

We’re Sorry For Your Loss, But You Can’t Come In: Irish people’s hatred of Travellers is shameful.
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