Vile anti-Semitic graffiti painted on two roads in Louth
Vile anti-Semitic graffiti has been painted on two roads in Louth, as council bosses said they are working to remove it as soon as possible.Images of the vandalism, which have been circulated online, show the Star of David and the words "jew rat" written underneath.A Nazi Swastika was also daubed on the road. The anti-Semitic markings were spotted on both the R165 and L1260 near Ardee.Maurice Cohen, who is the chair of the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland, told the Irish Mirror: "The antisemitic graffiti on a public road in County Louth is not an isolated act of vandalism but part of a wider and growing pattern of contemporary antisemitism in Ireland.Sign up to our new Crime Ireland newsletter and get exclusive content from Michael O'Toole and Paul HealyThe Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week"We have repeatedly warned the Irish Government and other public bodies that antisemitism is present, is ambient, and is increasing, and it is too often dismissed because it does not resemble the crude caricatures of the past."For Jewish people, and for the many Irish people who stand with them, such acts are recognised as a forewarning, a precursor to more serious actions if left unchallenged."We cannot continue to pretend that antisemitism is being adequately addressed under the broad umbrella of racism, and Ireland remains one of the few EU member states without a national plan to combat antisemitism."I once again make a clear call on the Government to set a defined timeline and departmental responsibility for drafting and adopting Ireland's national plan against antisemitism."Meanwhile, Holocaust Awareness Ireland said: "The newly sprayed graffiti on a road in Louth, Ireland, repeats one of the most disturbing antisemitic caricatures deployed by the Nazis in pre-war Germany."The depiction of Jews as rats or vermin was a keystone in the propaganda promoted by Josef Goebbels to dehumanise Jews."Louth County Council said it was taking steps to remove the graffiti as soon as possible.In a statement, they said: "The Council strongly condemns the use of antisemitic language or imagery in any form."Such acts are unacceptable and stand against our core values of equality and inclusiveness, and our commitment to fostering a respectful and welcoming community for all throughout County Louth."Local Councillor Paddy Meade said this is not the first time something like this has happened in the area.A gardai spokesperson said: "An Garda Síochána does not comment on material published by third parties online."Gardaí received a report of criminal damage to the road surface of the R165 at Shanliss, Ardee, Co Louth. This matter is being investigated as a hate crime."Anyone with information in relation to the incident is asked to contact Ardee Garda Station on 041 685 3222, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station."The spokesperson added: "An Garda Síochána takes hate crime very seriously. Every hate crime reported to An Garda Síochána is professionally investigated and victims supported during the criminal justice process."An Garda Síochána continues to encourage any victim of any crime to report this to An Garda Síochána including any indication that the crime may have a hate motivation."The increase in reporting of such incidents has been noted in each year of reporting, which is positive."An Garda Síochána also has an extensive network of nearly 600 trained Garda Diversity Officers who can engage with communities and individuals on a daily basis to provide them with re-assurance and address issues of concern for them."Gardaí from the Garda National Community Engagement Bureau have a good relationship and engage with the Jewish community throughout Ireland on an ongoing basis and continue to liaise with the Jewish community at this time."An Garda Síochána also actively engages with representative and advocacy groups to support minority and diverse communities in Ireland."The Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024 (irishstatutebook.ie) was commenced into Irish Law on 31st December 2024. This act creates new offences where primary offences, such as assault can be charged with “aggravation of certain offences by hatred"."This Act, and associated charges, will provide greater insight into hate motivation of these, and other listed offences, in the Act."A number of prosecutions have gone before the courts related to offences under the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024."In April 2025, An Garda Síochána published figures on Hate Crimes and Hate Related (non-crime) Incidents reported during 2024. This was the fourth such annual publication having previously published figures for 2021, 2022 and 2023."Anti-race remained the most prevalent discriminatory motive (39% of all motives) and increased from (36%) in 2023. In 2024, anti-nationality increased to a quarter of all motives compared to 18% in 2023."We would like to reassure those of an ethnic or minority background that we are here to keep you safe."We would encourage anyone who has been a victim of crime to report it to An Garda Síochána for investigation, or in an emergency call 999/112."An Garda Síochána would ask those working in community based groups, schools, clubs, the voluntary sector and non-governmental groups who have not already done so to subscribe to the third party referral process. This will have the benefit of further increasing reporting of hate crime to An Garda Síochána."Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
