OUT OF ORDER
Racist social housing posts slammed
A FAMILY who received a home as part of a Government social housing project has been subjected to racial abuse.
Last week, 42 houses were launched at Stormanstown on the Ballymun Road in Dublin by Leo Varadkar.
The Omars were one of the families to get a new roof over their heads and pictures of them were shared in the media and online.
The Taoiseach’s party colleague, local Fine Gael TD Noel Rock, posted images from the day.
But his Facebook page was then berated by racially charged comments targeted at the family.
Many of the comments on the thread have since been deleted, with the remarks no longer visible.
Deputy Rock has slammed the posts as “completely out of order”.
He said: “Some of the comments and abuse aimed at this family are completely out of order.
“There is a clear line between fair comment and outright racism. Many of these comments cross that line.
“This development has 42 homes for 42 families. Families come in all shapes and sizes and – indeed – colours.
“I am glad to see families housed and am certain everybody was treated equally and fairly in the application process. While people can have legiti- mate concerns and grievances about challenges facing society such as housing, singling out any person or family for being less deserving of something because of their skin colour is the wrong thing to do.”
The Taoiseach, Deputy
Rock and Minister of State Omar family move into the property Damien English were accused of using the initiative – which will see 150 people housed – as a “photo op”. Independent councillor Noeleen Reilly said while she welcomes more social housing, Mr Varadkar visiting the area is “hypocritical”.
She added: “He has stood over the housing crisis as it gets worse day by day and has shown no real commitment to the building of homes for families.
“His government has failed people who only want a roof over their head and security for their family. This is the only social housing development in the area in the last five years at least and that speaks volumes.”
Number of social housing properties on Ballymun Road in dublin
Number of people who will be living in the 42 properties