CLARE IMMIGRANT CABBIE ATTACKED
A Nigerian taxi driver, who is a qualified accountant, has revealed how he receives daily racist abuse and is scared to work as a cabbie in Ireland after suffering two assaults by passengers, according to the Irish Independent.
Married father-of-four Bartholomew Omoifo (36) spoke out as a man was jailed for viciously attacking him in his car.
"For a black man, working as a taxi driver is very dangerous. I am afraid to go working because of previous experiences. One is very scared."
Azriel Higgins (26) was jailed for nine months at Ennis District Court yesterday for the assault on Omoifo on June 5, 2010.
Omoifo said that he had been the victim of a subsequent assault by another passenger just four months ago.
He said: "If I had a choice I wouldn't be working as a taxi driver but I have to support my home."
Omoifo earlier told the court that Higgins, of Creggaun, Tobarteascain, Ennis, Co Clare, called him a "bastard n*****" before headbutting him in the mouth knocking out two front teeth.
Higgins -- who pleaded guilty to the assault and has 14 previous convictions -- attacked Omoifo after refusing to pay a €15 fare.
Omoifo required four stitches with dental work costing €2,400. Damage done to the taxi cost €761.
He described the assault as "very, very traumatic". He said: "I suffered needlessly. I have two false teeth now and I was out of work for three weeks."
On the daily racist abuse, Omoifo said:
"Passengers flag you down, open the door and when they see you are black, they say 'F*** off'. I get this every day."
He added: "I am relieved that I have been given the privilege in court to state what really happened. I have been given respect. At least it shows me that there is justice for us and gives me the assurance that the protection is there and we can get justice."
He has been living in Ireland for eight years, but believes that some people are "venting their anger at the economy" on immigrants.
ROSCOMMON ABBEY PROJECT COMPLETED
The government has announced the completion of the €2 million conservation project at Boyle Abbey.
"This project involved the dismantling and removal of the buttressing and also required the dismantling and reconstruction of the North Aisle Wall," said Brian Hayes, minister of state at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with special responsibility for the Office of Public Work.
The minister stated when visit the site recently, the Leitrim Observer reported: "The Cistercian Abbey at Boyle, Co. Roscommon, was established in the middle of the 12th century and is one of the finest of the Cistercian churches to survive in Ireland. It was one of the daughter houses of Ireland's powerful pioneering foundation at Mellifont in County Louth. The layout of the building complex follows the typical monastic plan with the enclosed contemplative cloister garden in the center, surrounded by the Church to the south and the ancillary administrative, domestic and service quarters to the other sides."
