Metropolitan Mayor of Waterford Joe Kelly has said that the racial behaviour that Waterford Rose Kirstin Mate Maher was subjected to in Kilkenny over the weekend has "no place in Ireland."
Ms Maher and her boyfriend were allegedly abused by two male customers in the takeaway on John Street in Kilkenny over the weekend at around 3 am.
It is understood that Ms Maher was enjoying a night out with friends on Saturday night before she was subjected to vile abuse.
According to the Irish Daily Mail Paul Osagie, manager of the Blue Door Takeaway, where the alleged incident happened, said that staff and customers were appalled.
Speaking to Eamon Keane Mayor Kelly said that he is disgusted and "disappointed" that this attack has happened, but he is not surprised as he heard stories like this from taxi drivers and from people who tend to be from other countries as well as Ireland.
"I got taxis home many a time and I have spoken to drivers and they have often said to me that even in their taxis they get verbal and racially abused from their so-called customers."
He believes the issue is widespread around the country which is "disgraceful."
"When there is an attack on a person of a different colour, it is an attack on all of us and it beholds people to stand up to this kind of thing."
Also speaking to Eamon Kilkenny County Councillor Andrew Mc Guinness has said that he is "shocked" that a young girl who did very well for herself Waterford and Kilkenny was racially abused while socialising in Kilkenny.
Condemning the attack on the Rose of Tralee over the weekend he said:
"It's a bad reflection of Kilkenny and doesn't represent us here in any way shape or form, we are a friendly City and County and take great pride in that."
Listen to Eamon's interview with Cllr Mc Guinness and Mayor Kelly below.
https://soundcloud.com/wlrfmwaterford/kilkenny-county-councilor-andrew-mc-guinness-condemns-racial-attack-on-the-rose-of-tralee
