What a remarkable and inspirational tale. Mr Adebari's success is a credit both to himself and to the people of Portlaoise. In the future, immigrants in the troubled housing estates around Paris may see him as a role model and be inspired to enter politics and invest in their new communities in a constructive way.

Allardyce, Paris, France

"He was elected mayor under a pact by which the position rotates among the Fine Gael, Sinn Fein and independent council members"

Well , it's not a real election , is it ?

Ireland should look at the problems Britain has and learn from it's Immigration policy mistakes..

seamus mulligan, London/Mayo, England/Ireland

Michael
How is this a bleak day?
If you are referring to this man being a coloured mayor then it is you that must look inside yourself and look at your inner bleakness...
Some spelling assistance wouldn't go amiss either...

Mark Quinn, Ennis, Ireland

Quite the contrary - what a wonderful day for Portlaoise and Ireland. One of the bleakest days I could personally envisage Mr Campbell would actually be trying to explain to you why Mayor Adebari's election is a positive development for Ireland as a whole - and that includes Derry.

marie, Dublin , Ireland

I am british (dual nationaled born in the uk but nigerian parents) I have lived in both countries for about 20 years each and the country has the largest and most diverse religions and is the most tolerant of new or existing religious organisations (the only restrcitions will be in states that have a predominance of muslin populations). I would be interested in knowing the kind or persecution he suffered as he could have moved to other states with that are free and tolerant . On this occasion I would disagree and sasy that this bismirches the countries image ( his case would have to be exraordinarly unique) . Apart from that I would praise ireland for being a refuge for people in diapora and giving them the opportunity to archieve and contribute to their country

steve, london, uk

Iam Nigerian, living in Nigeria - Iam wondering what religious persecution in 2000??? Iam happy he's done well for himself but I don't believe his story-perhaps he migrated for economic reasons.

O.A. Sotomi, Lagos, Nigeria

An atrocity. If he were a real man he would stay at home and improve his own homeland.

Kevin, Peru, IL

Good Luck to him we (the Irish) had to move abroad to find work in the past so we should not forget what it is like to be an immigrant.
We have to be a nation that welcomes people and through that grow and mature to become a true nation of equals where discrimination on whatever grounds is a thing of the past.

Bernard McKenna, Sale, England

How do we rate a society's grasp of a persons democratic right, if we don't acknowledge the fact that anyone of merit can achieve any position that they set out aspire to based on that merit.

a breen, brisbane , australia

This is a wonderful day for Ireland. A true sign of progress and integration, which has been one of the strengths pushing the economic success experienced in the last 10 years. What a pity Mr. Campbell feels that this is not the case, but alas we can be comforted by the fact that his diction lets him down, "repe", should read "reap", I think.
Congratulations Mr. Adebari.

D. Cruise, Barcelona, Spain

Michael
Am saddened if you are referring to the fact a black man being mayor of an irish town a bleak occasion.
I sense your comments are just trying to provoke an outraged response otherwise you would have tried to justify your point of view.

Mark Quinn, Ennis, Ireland

Be more open minded. Lets wait and see shall we

sola, London, United Kingdom

Thus writes a man who thinks a black mayor in an irish town an anomaly while having lived through hate brought on by religious differences with his irish neighbours.
Said Arr

said, umeå, sweden

What a sad day for the Irish.

michael campbell, londonderry, N Ireland

Mr Adebari I totally disagree I Think this is one of the bleakest days in the history of Ireland, and Port Laiose I hope you repe the benefits.

michael campbell, londonderry, N Ireland