Racist killing of Toyosi Shittabey in Tyrellstown

Today's papers report that the death of Toyosi Shittabey in Tyrellstown may have been motivated by racism.  The fifteen year old, a talented footballer who played for Shelbourne’s youth team, was walking home from the swimming pool in Blanchardstown with friends when they were subjected to racial abuse by two scumbags in the Mount Eustace estate.

According to the reports words were exchanged and Toyosi’s group walked away from the scene, but the abusers, aged 23 and 38, went into their nearby house to fetch a knife and followed the youngsters in their car.   The young lad, known as “Toy”, urged his friends to walk away again but was stabbed in the heart by one of the scumbags.  Paul Barry, originally of Pearse Street, has been charged with manslaughter - which is puzzling in view of the pre-meditated nature of the attack which seems more like murder to me. 

“It was a racist attack.  He was a lovely happy-go-lucky boy”, a neighbour is quoted as saying in today’s Sunday Tribune report, which describes Tyrellstown as a middle-class housing estate with a “sizeable African community”.  The Sindo says the area consists of  200 households which are "50 per cent foreign nationals and 50 per cent Irish".

Referring to Tyrellstown as a middle-class estate is somewhat fanciful.  Indeed, the Garda have expressed  concern about tensions in the area and an official from its  Racial and Intercultural Office is working there.   It is one of many boomtime developments that shot up in the Dublin 15 area with no thought or planning.  Situated somewhere between Mulhuddart and Hollystown it has – in common with many new estates in the area –a large population of New Irish.

This blog has highlighted racist attitudes in Ireland before, both overt and concealed, and unless there are serious efforts made on the part of our rulers to integrate our new arrivals, and educate sections of our indigenous population, there will be serious trouble ahead. 

A prime element of racism and bigotry is ignorance, so it makes sense to address this issue through the medium of education.  And the best form of education is inclusive, secular (or, at least, multi-denominational) and one that integrates.

Educate Together is the only organisation offering such schooling in Ireland at present, but it is currently confined to primary level, to the best of my knowledge.  I understand that the group plans to move into secondary education in the near future.

I have no kids, and have no connection with Educate Together, but by my reckoning this is the way to go.  After all, this is about all our futures - together - and it might just eradicate the insularity, stupidity, ignorance and bigotry that robbed Toyosi of his young life.

Anyone interested in starting a new school group can express their interest here. 

Educate Together Start-up Groups

Gombeen Nation would like to extend sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Toyosi.

PS.  It has been brought to the attention of Gombeen Nation that a Paul Barry was previously charged under Section 2 of the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act (see comments), after a stabbing on Pearse Steet in 2001.  See Race attack on Pearse Street

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