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11th May 2020

Man in late teens presented voluntarily at Garda Station following online racist comments

Rudi Kinsella

cork death

An adult in his late teens has presented himself at a Garda Station in relation to the incident.

An Garda Síochána is investigating an incident where abusive racist comments have been posted on social media platforms.

No formal complaint has been received by An Garda Síochána at this time, but in line with An Garda Síochána Diversity and Integration Strategy An Garda Síochána commenced an investigation into the comments.

Subsequently a male adult teenager has presented voluntarily at a Garda Station and has been interviewed in relation to this matter.

A file is now being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

An Garda Síochána are appealing to the public not to engage in social media commentary in relation to these matters.

Kick It Out have condemned what is believed to be two separate incidents of online racial abuse, one towards former Arsenal forward Ian Wright, and the other toward former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor and his family.

The group said: “We are appalled during this very trying time by the disgraceful abuse directed at Ian Wright and Gabriel Agbonlahor and their families.

“Racial hate speech and violent threats are totally unacceptable but have become sadly normalised on social media.”

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