It was imperative that the message went out from the Garda authorities to those on the beat that they must not abuse the rights of people, regardless of their colour and whether they were asylum-seekers, said Senator David Norris (Ind).
He was concerned about the growing number of attacks on asylum-seekers and the involvement of "some official and semi-official groups". He had dealt with instances in which gardai had been unpleasantly involved with asylum-seekers. "This is a continuing and growing matter." Calling for a debate to draw the attention of the Garda authorities to what was happening, Mr Norris said: "Once an unpleasant incident occurs lower down in the force, it is a natural reaction of people further up to try to stand over or justify or protect their members."