Patrick’s interview with Stephen Breen from today’s Irish News of the World

RACISM is at an all-time high in Ireland, a leading anti-hate campaigner has warned.

Former ANC activist Patrick Maphoso, 41, says ethnic families here are living in fear.

And he warned the suspected race-hate killing of Toyosi Shitta-bey, 15, in Tyrellstown on April 2, won’t be the last.

Mr Maphoso – who was told while visiting a friend in Cabra, north Dublin, last year that he would be KILLED if he returned to the area – wants cops to do more to stop the attacks.

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SUNDAY INDEPENDENT

Patrick Maphoso mulls over the question. “About once a week,” he says at last. “Yeah, I’d say I experience racism of some sort here every single week.”

The South African has lived in Dublinsince 2001 and stood as an independent in last year’s local election. He failed to win a seat in Dublin City Council but he achieved nationwide coverage when he spoke of the racism he experienced on the campaign trail.

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From Thursday, I was among the many volunteers working hard, putting up posters on lamp posts and distributing leaflets, to build for today’s rally.

Over 1,500 people – from all backgrounds and all races – took the streets and marched  to the Irish Parliament to say ‘Never Again’.

It’s vital that our message is heard.

Yesterday’s TV3 Morning Show segment on racism in Ireland on is now online (forward the video to 15.34). In the studio with Mulhuddart Socialist Party Councillor Ruth Coppinger, we discussed the situation in the light of the horrific knife murder of Toyosi Shitta-bey .

About 1,500 people from all walks of life attended today’s candlelight vigil for Toyosi Shitta-Bey.

The life of the young, talented footballer, who wanted to play for Ireland one day, was cut short on Good Friday in terrible circumstances.

Young people all around me were very upset and could not hold their tears. “Never again will our people be killed on the streets of Dublin,” a young man said.

Two Irish brothers have appeared in court in connection with his death.

Toyosi’s funeral will be held on Thursday.

As details emerge of the stabbing of 15 year old Toyosi Shitta-Bey in Tyrrelstown I’m left deeply shocked by this cruel and barbaric killing. My heart goes out to his family and friends at this most difficult of times.