Back in 1992, I lived in London with an Irishman from Balbriggan. I am Caribbean. We made frequent trips to Dublin to visit his family. I cannot begin to describe the nature of the 'stares' I got from people, some hostile. I even heard the N-word from his mother. Back then, there were NO black people in Balbriggan. I asked the locals why. Most said, 'Would you want to live here?' I said no, and I don't think most of the African people want to live there either, they have no choice. My Irishman was angry at the time, because I said that the only reason there was no racism in Ireland, was because there were no black people. He refuted this bitterly. Turns out I was right. Reading the comments posted here, I can see that nothing has changed in the last 15 years, and never will. Your ingrained superiority complexes override any chance of empathy or unity. This is why Europeans feel free to travel the world and live however you choose, without question. Come on, Armageddon.

emme, London, UK

Back in 1992, I lived in London with an Irishman from Balbriggan. I am Caribbean. We made frequent trips to Dublin to visit his family. I cannot begin to describe the nature of the 'stares' I got from people, some hostile. I even heard the N-word from his mother. Back then, there were NO black people in Balbriggan. I asked the locals why. Most said, 'Would you want to live here?' I said no, and I don't think most of the African people want to live there either, they have no choice. My Irishman was angry at the time, because I said that the only reason there was no racism in Ireland, was because there were no black people. He refuted this bitterly. Turns out I was right. Reading the comments posted here, I can see that nothing has changed in the last 15 years, and never will. Your ingrained superiority complexes override any chance of empathy or unity. This is why Europeans feel free to travel the world and live however you choose, without question. Come on, Armageddon.

emme, London,

I raed this article with a sense of serious apprehension. I am an Irish-American with a strong belief and embrace of my heritage and I am appalled to see what is happening in the land that we refer to as "The Homeland." For centuries, our ancestors endured unimaginable hardship, privation and suffering in their ques to secure a free Ireland. Did they sacrafice themselves to see a society riddled with a neo-Marxist cancer eating away at the core of a "Nation Once Again?" I am not Republican in my views, but I have a full knowledge and understanding of the social travesty that Ireland is now undergoing. I do not believe that these Negroes are in any position to make demands of any kind to a host nation that is clearly on the path to self destruction. The introduction of this alien and decadent race of beings simply does not bode well for the country. They will be the progenitors of all of the social vices that will ruin he country. Their worldviews are alien and backward.

Urich Varange, Boston, MA USA

They riot in France and claim racism. They Riot in Canada and claim racism. They always move from majority African communities, large and small and in whatever country, into "white" communities, and thence procede to claim racism.

They murder, rape, and rob whites in a 10 to 1 ratio at which the converse occurs, yet they claim racism. They demand special classes, the right to ban offensive words, and are given bonus points when applying to a job simply because they ARENT white, and then they claim racism.

God help Ireland. If it goes like the rest of the West, it's finished.

Michael, Akron, USA

I am from Balbriggan and I can say to you that most of these people have literaly just arrived in Balbriggan so how can jhey just expect to get their children into schools?
Why is it that when these people do not get what they want we are all racist?
What is next? Sorry, we are not from Ireland so can you stop teaching Irish in the schools?
Our Irish identity is being destroyed! When are we finally going to stand up for ourselves and tell this minority living in our country that this is the way that things are done and that if the do not like it go to some other country!!

kev, balbriggan, ireland

This comes as no surprise to me. I am a British-born Roman Catholic who knows only too well the attitudes of the London-based Irish community towards non-whites. As an ethnic minority in mostly Irish populated Catholic schools I was always made aware that while we are all made in God's image, some were made more favourably than others - an odd brand of Christianity, but unfortunately that was my experience. The less than warm welcome the Irish extend to their immigrant populations is in direct contrast to the way they have felt able to settle in so many different locations around the world. It seems unjust that while Irish communities can be found in almost every country in the globe, they don't want anyone different in their backyard! They should ask themselves why the patron saint of Nigeria and Montserrat happens to be St Patrick and they might find it is no coincidence that Nigerians and other African immigrants are now landing on their shores.

Natasha, Hampshire,

I live here in California and was saddened to hear this story broadcast nationwide on various channels yesterday morning here. I am from Ireland and wonder about the legendary historical Irish welcome. I would ask principals parents etc to put themselves in the shoes of these people feeling rejected for nothing more than the colour of their skin not to mention that most are Irish citizens, I have lived in Ghana Africa and this would not happen to a white child there. I did think maybe it was only the religious requirement (which cannot apply in todays world) but then it seems that others who moved into that suburb of Balbriggan managed to secure a place for their children which made me change my mind and sadly I know think its racism pure and simple and these people who are responsible for denying these children from school based on their own beliefs/fears or fears of community reaction if they allow Black children access to the school should be removed from their positions at the lea

Noel, Los Angeles, California USA

Religion is not the Issue here. There is not enough school places. Do you give preference to immigrants or Irish people. I don't believe that is a racist issue. Irish "tax-payers" would get first preference on school places for their kids. Second choice should be to Irish "non tax payers". Third should be for non tax paying immigrants who are one of the biggest receivers of benefits in this country.

Chris Cooper, Balbriggan / Dublin, Dublin

The educational system in Ireland is based almost exclusively on waiting lists and nothing else. To suggest that the problem highlighted in the article is religion based is untrue, unfounded and ridiculous!

Lousy planning, inadequate research and bad immigration laws have exacerbated the situation! Something Paul you will be more than aware of in your neck of the woods!

Siobhan, Germany, Munich,

Biggest mistake ever! The government should force existing schools take on extra student no matter what the cost. Otherwise Ireland's future generations will pay dearly for this mistake. There is no better way to promote segregation and cultivate racism.

Rose McGowan, Dublin,

This sounds like a great idea. All races would be happier with similar arrangements. It will have a similar effect to "streaming" i.e, grouping children based on their ability.

Patrick, London, U.K.

funny... it's just like the US!! i can't wait for the rest of the world to experience this.

eeerrrgghhh, springfield,

I notice that paul lives in gloucester. If he lived in london or any other major city in western europe he wouldn't be so smug. But, of course, he probably went to gloucester to get away from the horror of the multi cultural cess pits that he insists everyone else should live in.

Dave Walker, London , England

Well for nearly 40 years there was conflict between the catholics and protestants, and their religions arn't that much different from each other, i wonder how well the people of Ireland will accept this situation in ten or twenty years time.

shane, clitheroe, lancs

The Irish bent for sectarianism has found a new and even greater depth of depravity in this proposal.
Its not too difficult to see what will happen in the very near future if this proposal comes to pass.

Christopher Sellers, Woking, UK

Why are there Africans in Ireland in the first place, let alone a school just for them? Of course there are "fears of racism"...you can't throw together a bunch of disparate cultures/races and expect them to have a Coke and sing Kumbaya. Ireland is a small, indigenous island...it is terribly unfair to the indigenous people to flood them with foreigners who are so obviously different from them in every way, shape and form. If you think it was unfair for Europeans to have "flooded" America and pushed out the Amerindians, then you MUST think this is unfair for all the same reasons.

JBroneske, Sacramento,

It will be very fair to say that these people should not be in Europe at the first time. Why should we cater for them? Will they cater for us it terms of religion and welfare should we apply for it in their countries? I doubt it. The only thing that is going to happen is growing problems as we are now exposed to in England. These people have neither respect nor gratefulness for things we have done for them, which is very sad and should be taken as a lesson. Instead, we are forced to respect their culture and habits and are facing punishment every time we say no. Why is that? Did Crusades and all of the religious wars happen for nothing? People tend NOT to learn their historic lessons…. Sad…

Linda Low, Los Angeles, USA, California

Ray (USA) you are talking nonsense. By your own argument when I go to America I want to see Native Americans - what are you doing there? Oh, thats right - your ancestors came across uninvited slaughtered the local population (as well as performing the first recorded use of Germ warfare) and claimed the land as theirs. You are the descendant of the very people you now lament.
The fact is the world has changed and the new world is one of great mobility. Economies need immigrants but traditionally there has been no integration of immigrants. This is the failing not the immigrants. Preservation of local cultures comes through integration of strangers; one way is integrating the children in schools. Shunning them is what was done in the past and we now know it doesnt work. Likewise immigrants should be encouraged to abide with local culture, which should be maintained so that it can be seen (banning Father Christmas etc does not encourage migrants to integrate).

Jack Sprat, Bristol, UK

What a rediculous mess our tolerance has got us into with the EU.
Then there is the religious ' thing ' no child should be taught religion before , say 12 , simply because before then you are telling them things they cannot understand , but are just planting the parents belief into them.
A child could eventually be told of all the main faiths & then ALLOWED to CHOOSE which they would like to follow, if at all. .
The present method has no choice, worldwide, the religion one has is simply an accident of birth & geography.
Very few practice a faith of choice , but the faith of their parents, & it is wrong.

Maggie Millington, Brittany , France

It is happening in every country. The one worlders want it thus. When I go to Ireland I want to see Irish People and Irish Culture. Same when I go to Germany. I will go to Africa for African People and Culture not Ireland. Same for Islam.
If we all are as bad as they insist, why do thay demand to come to America, Ireland etc.?

Ray, Gurnee, Illinois, USA

I agree, this is a bit of a non-story and playing the race card in Ireland nowadays is like playing the religion card 20 years ago - an ulterior motive is never far away. The reality is that most Irish urban schools are swamped with applicants, especially the good ones. The catholic schools are dealing with a mini boom of Irish born catholic children, and are now faced with Polish, Lithuanian, Nigerian and west african catholics pressing for places for their children in catholic schools. That often means a tough outcome for children with no connection with the school, and no connection with catholicism. Like it or loathe it that's the prerogative of faith based schools, which interestingly you term "discrimination". If the schools involved were Jewish, you'd probably be using more circumspect terminology but with catholics anything goes... Incidentally I went to a catholic school which accepted non catholics subject to having places available. Still does.

Renton, Dublin, Ireland

At least the Irish are going to face the issue head-on.

We face exactly the same issues in the UK, particularly in south-east England, yet our meddling politically-correct government all but bans discussion of the overloading of our social infrastructure by immigrants, many here illegally, and most of them unwanted by the resident population.

Chris Palmer, Southampton, UK

Religion is not that big issue in ROI. I am not a Catholic, and I am not Irish still, my children does not have any kind of problem. The biggest problem is pure IGNORANCE of Irish tradition by most of us (migrants). It is very easy to shout racism but bare in mind that racism works in all direction. So people grow up, this country was not prepared for the influx on this magnitude. Please do not paint ordinary Irish as racist, they are loving people who do their best in order to cope with current situation. "If you are in Rome, do as Romans...."

Zoran, Limerick, ROI

Paul - religiion has nothing to do with this situation - it's the sheer numbers of people who were taking advantage of our immigration laws, those children are now all of school-going age.

There are waiting lists for most schools in Ireland, turning up at the last minute saying you didn't understand the system is not a valid excuse.

Religion in the Republic of Ireland is not as big an issue as you think - our first President was Protestant, our greatest hero is Wolfe Tone, again Protestant. There is no position in government that is dependent on religion. Is it possible for a Catholic to marry into your Royal family?

Sean, Nagoya, Japan,

yet another divide in ireland. protestants and catholics and now another divide for the ethnic minority is it not about time that the people of ireland let religion not get in the way of life. times are changing rapidly for all countries and that religion is still the biggest problem for change as many still focus on something that was written thousands of years ago and wil not change

paul, gloucester, united kingdom