The Irish travellers challenging prejudice
Two members of Ireland's travelling community talk about the discrimination they've faced - and their fight against what they say is the last socially acceptable form of racism.
Mags Casey and David Friel are fighting against what they say is the last socially acceptable form of racism. They belong to Ireland's travelling community, which - according to EU research - is one of the most discriminated against and impoverished ethnic groups in Europe. More than 80 per cent of travellers are unemployed, just one per cent reach higher education, life expectancy is up to 15 years shorter than average - and more than one in 10 deaths are suicide.
Mags was born in a wagon, has eight children - and says she has spent her life segregated from Irish society. She says her family isn't served in restaurants and she can't hire a hotel for her children's weddings. David is 24 and works in social care. He says he experienced institutional racism and discrimination from a very young age - and was stopped from attending a mainstream school.
For 5 Minutes On, they talk to the 麻豆社's Ireland correspondent, Chris Page, about their fight for equality and social justice - and their hopes that things are beginning to change.
Photo credit: 麻豆社
