Commissioner urges Irish language speakers experiencing intimidation to report incidents to police

The Irish language commissioner has urged anyone who encounters animosity for speaking their native tongue to report the incident to the PSNI.

Pól Deeds was speaking after new research revealed that at least one-in-ten Gaeilgeoirí have experienced intimidation or harassment because of learning or using the Irish language.

He said some politicians and media coverage had “fuelled antipathy” towards the indigenous language.

Some 11% of respondents to Conradh na Gaeilge’s annual Céard é an Scéal? survey in the north said the brunt of hostility was linked to using personal names as Gaeilge, especially surnames.

The issue of bilingual signage came up when the issue of harassment and intimidation was discussed, according to the report.

Among the research’s more positive findings is that the number of people confident in speaking Irish has more than doubled in a decade and now stands at 15%.

Elsewhere, some 23% of those surveyed in the north said they would use public services through Irish if available.

But Mr Deeds said figures highlighting a negative attitude towards the use of Irish in some instances were “greatly concerning”.

“I would encourage anybody who ever experiences intimidation or harassment due to their speaking or using Irish to contact the PSNI,” he said.

“I know that last year the police treated the defacement of a sign that included Irish language as a hate crime and that was a very welcome development, so if this kind of intimidation continues, I would encourage people to speak to the PSNI so it can be dealt with.”

However, he said overall the survey’s findings were “really positive”.

“I think in general the report shows a very positive trend in attitudes towards the Irish language, and I believe research from Foras na Gaeilge due early next year will show a continuing trend in positive attitudes towards Irish,” he said.

“This gives me great hope, as it’s hard evidence that demonstrates a change in attitude.”

Mr Deeds endorsed the report’s recommendation for a campaign aimed at showing respect for Irish names, potentially in collaboration with other organisations such as the GAA and trade unions.

“I think the statistics demonstrate the growing demand for the Irish language and the need for public bodies to respond with actions and policies,” he said.

Cuisle Nic Liam, Conradh na Gaeilge’sa Irish language rights co-ordinator with said there was “absolutely no place” for hate and aggression towards Irish speakers.

“It is distressing to read these results that show more than one-in-ten have experienced some level of intimidation whilst using or learning Irish,” she said.

“Those experiences are heightened and even more concerning at a time when the media is publishing weekly reports of the Irish language being attacked on dual-language signage and political representatives continuously disparage or denigrate the language and provisions used to support the community.”

Sinn Féin MLA Aisling Reilly said the survey showed the Irish language was “thriving”.

“Nobody should suffer fear or intimidation because they are learning or speaking Irish,” she said.

“Intolerance and prejudice must be condemned and faced down wherever it appears.”