Seanad debates

Thursday, 20 May 2010

10:30 am

Photo of David NorrisDavid Norris (Independent)

Many years ago I was involved in having references to sexual orientation and membership of the Traveller community included in legislation, particularly the Incitement to Hatred Bill. In that context, I raise a worrying matter, about which I ask the Leader to talk to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Recently a Facebook page entitled, "setting aside Monday afternoons to hunt knackers", was created, to which, I am sorry to say, a large number of Irish people have signed up. It includes the following comments. One contributor, a Mr. O'Keeffe, said, "I was in contact with the association of killing knackers and they said that if it got enough support they would try to organise an Abbeyfeale hunt, whereby for one week Abbeyfeale knackers would be, more or less, a free for all. Abbeyfeale knackers are common, though, and not worth much." That met with this response from a Mr. O'Sullivan, "Worth much? No knacker is worth anything, Dan. That is why they must be flushed out like rats." I understand this website which has been up for more than one month is in the process of being taken down, which I welcome. However, there is another one, which is "Pádraig Nally, Ireland's greatest legend". Some of the language used on the site is rather unfortunate, but it is appropriate that people should know about it. One person asks, "What do you do when you see a smelly knacker running at you with half a head?" The answer is, "Stop laughing, reload and shoot," which received the reply, "Fuck tinkers." That is not appropriate and I hope this will be taken down. It is worrying that there seems to be a wave. There is an office circular being circulated with pictures of some very beautiful young women in elaborate dresses attending weddings in the Travelling community. Those who receive the circular are invited to substitute the face of someone in their office who has recently got married for one of the faces in the pictures. I deplore this and some action should be taken against it.

I agree with Senator Twomey on the worrying situation of a man with 75 convictions who while out on bail assisted in the murder of two perfectly decent young Polish men. I also support Senator O'Toole in his remarks about the helpline for people with missing children. I raised this matter on the Adjournment some time ago and was recently contacted by the man who had brought it to my attention and whose sister had gone missing. I was told there were some bureaucratic difficulties, but I understand these are now in the process of being overcome. It is very important to support such families and that the State support the helpline.

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