Ireland’s ridiculous racism tsar

The Republic of Ireland has always prided itself on its lack of racism. Take the fact that two of the country’s most popular sons are black or mixed-race. Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott was the first truly international Irish rock star, while the brilliant footballer Paul McGrath was, and remains, perhaps the most genuinely beloved Irish person alive. When I was at an under-21s game between Ireland and England many years ago, a small bunch of Irish fans started shouting racist abuse about Trevor Sinclair. They were soon attacked by other Irish fans, who asked the idiots if they would say the same thing to McGrath, who is simply known as ‘God’ in Irish footballing circles.

Those racist fools ended up being escorted out of Dalymount Park by police and stewards at half time – not because they were disturbing the peace, but for their own safety. Crowd violence is rare at an Ireland match, particularly at an underage game with only hundreds in attendance.