Casey is criticised by local Traveller group
THE Sligo Traveller Support Group has sharply criticised Presidential candidate, Peter Casey for his remarks on Travellers.
Spokesperson, Jamie Murphy said the comments by Mr Casey were completely unacceptable and caused enormous distress.
“What is worrying is that a person running for the highest office in the state felt he could make them in the first place.
“There have been numerous calls from the United Nations, the Council of Europe, and Traveller organisations for the unique ethnicity of Travellers to be officially recognised.
“Thankfully in 2017 after years of campaigning this happened. Diversity and respect for different cultures, including for the unique history, language and culture of the Traveller community is something that should be celebrated contrary to what Mr Casey may believe.
“It would have been far more helpful and beneficial if he raised the issue of the disproportionately high suicide rates, lower life expectancy, and higher rates of infant mortality rather than generalisations and outdated stereotypes designed to create hostility towards a group of people.
“It’s not acceptable to talk about any community in this way, be that Travellers, African, Polish, Syrian, or any other minority, “said Mr Murphy.
Mr Casey has been criticised widely for his remarks.
He had stated on an Independent.ie podcast that he did not believe that Travellers should have been granted recognition of their ethnicity by the Irish state.
“That’s a load of nonsense. They are not from Romany or whatever.”
He claimed Travellers were “basically people camping in someone else’s land”.
He further went on to say “they are not paying their fair share of taxes in society.”
In a statement issued on Sunday outlining that he was continuing his campaign despite the widespread criticism including from the other candidates and Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, Mr Casey said:
“I have spoken at length about all the ways to harness this Irish pride to strengthen Ireland’s prominence. And I will do whatever I can to unite the worldwide Irish communities, whether they are in Boston, Bombay or wherever. And when someone talked to me recently about the Travelers’ who have lived in Ireland for centuries, I rightly viewed them as “Irish” too.
“They live in our country, go to our schools, and vote in our elections. In fact, I believe, if we all accepted them more as “Irish”, we would do so much more to remedy their longstanding problems, like chronic unemployment, homelessness, and a suicide rate that is sixtimes the national average.
“I respect the Travelers’ culture and traditions, but I will always think them first and foremost as “Irish” too.
“If that is wrong, I am not apologising.”