Indian woman brutally beaten and called ‘foreign b****' while celebrating Kerry's All-Ireland
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Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Indian woman brutally beaten and called ‘foreign b****' while celebrating Kerry's All-Ireland
Sonali Flynn has lived in Ireland since 1999 and never suffered racial abuse or a racist attack. This all changed when Sonali and her friends were out celebrating Kerry's All-Ireland victory in Tralee on July 27.
Irish Times
5 hours ago
- Irish Times
‘Irish people have shown us kindness': Afghan exiles on life in Ireland after the Taliban
In August 2021, the Taliban retook control of Kabul , the Afghan capital, ending two decades of relative freedom there, particularly for women. Girls' schools were closed , women were forced out of workplaces, and public life narrowed under growing restrictions. For many Afghan women, fleeing the country became not a choice, but a necessity. Among those who found refuge in Ireland was Hogai Wardak. 'I was a final-year student at Kabul University when the Taliban took over,' she recalls. 'With their arrival, we lost everything.' Wardak was 21 when Kabul fell. She had already made her mark as a journalist and women's rights advocate, working across media, education and sport. Leaving meant starting again – but not giving up. READ MORE She had begun her media career in 2017, working with Zan TV (meaning Women TV), Azmon Radio, and several local outlets. Her work focused on amplifying the voices of women and youth. She later founded Pohah (Knowledge), an education and empowerment initiative, and established a preschool, Rasa, which educated more than 80 children and employed up to 20 women. [ Afghan women banned from parks, gyms and amusements Opens in new window ] At Zan TV, Wardak created and hosted Women Power, a programme by, and for, Afghan women, highlighting the achievements of female professionals. A former cricketer, she was also involved in efforts to gain official recognition for Afghanistan's women's cricket team, helping secure contracts for players in 2020. On August 21st, 2021, Wardak left Kabul. After spending 10 days in Qatar, she was told she would be resettled in Ireland. 'My life here is peaceful. I'm finishing my studies and plan to grow my Afghan clothing business, M4U – Made For You – which currently employs 15 women in Afghanistan' — Hogai Wardak 'I had never heard of Ireland before, but I came here seeking safety – and the chance to continue my education and work.' Her first job was as a waitress. 'Every time I looked in the mirror, I remembered who I had been – a journalist, an athlete, an advocate. But Irish people I met at the restaurant were kind and open. That made a difference.' Today, Wardak is studying business at Dublin Business School and works as deputy director of Sadaa – Sister Action for Dignified Access in Afghanistan – an organisation that supports Afghan women. She also hosted a podcast, Open Mic, as part of the Open Doors Initiative, which creates pathways to employment, education and entrepreneurship for marginalised groups. 'My life here is peaceful. I'm finishing my studies and plan to grow my Afghan clothing business, M4U – Made For You – which currently employs 15 women in Afghanistan,' she says. This is despite the Taliban ban on women working in most sectors. Before the Taliban returned to power, Farahnaz Haidary held a senior role in government finance and spent her spare time working on legal awareness, education and women's empowerment. When Kabul fell, her professional and personal identities were placed at immediate risk. 'As a woman in a leadership role, I knew the threat was real,' she says. 'It was the hardest decision of my life – leaving my home, my community, and my work. But I carried my skills and determination with me. If I could survive the journey, I believed I could rebuild.' Farahnaz Haidary, women's and human rights activist, at UCC. Photograph: Daragh McSweeney/Provision Haidary had been an audit manager at Afghanistan's Supreme Audit Office, overseeing government finances while also volunteering with NGOs that supported women and female-headed households. 'It was never about profit – it was about building futures,' she says. She arrived in Ireland uncertain of what to expect. 'No one knew me or what I could do. I was seen as a migrant. But I had years of experience and education. Finding my place has taken time, but the welcome and kindness of Irish people helped me feel safe.' Now based in Cork, Haidary is pursuing a master's degree in education, human rights and equality at Mary Immaculate College. She also manages the Sanctuary Catering Project at Saoirse – Ethnic Hands on Deck – and is founder of the Domhan Green Society, which promotes mental health and community support. 'My work now supports migrants and vulnerable communities of all backgrounds. Mental health is one of the biggest challenges migrants face – and we need to do more to address it.' While both women express gratitude for the safety they've found in Ireland, the process of resettlement has not been easy. Language barriers, cultural adjustment, and the pressure to prove their capabilities all presented early challenges. Afghanistan is 'not safe, and the freedoms I value – education, work, speech – do not exist. Here, I can use my skills and pursue my goals' — Farahnaz Haidary 'Many migrants come with education and experience, but face hurdles in being [professionally] recognised,' says Haidary. 'You are often seen through a single lens – as a refugee or asylum seeker – not as a professional.' Wardak adds: 'Afghan women are strong and brave, despite the restrictions we face back home. We want people in Ireland to know that we love our culture and are eager to contribute.' Both women speak of Ireland's openness, and of shared values. 'Irish people understand migration because of their own history,' says Haidary. 'There's a deep sense of family, hospitality, and community that we relate to.' Neither sees a return to Afghanistan for themselves in the near future. 'It's not safe, and the freedoms I value – education, work, speech – do not exist,' Haidary says. 'Here, I can use my skills and pursue my goals.' Wardak agrees. 'Afghan women are heroes. We hope for a day when we can return. But for now, we are building our lives.' Despite the distance from home, both women are committed to preserving their Afghan identity – and sharing it. Wardak hopes to expand her M4U clothing brand internationally, showcasing Afghan craftsmanship and creating employment for women in the country. Haidary's Domhan Green Society organises multicultural events and encourages dialogue across communities. 'We share traditions to keep them alive – but also to learn from others,' she says. 'Life here is a blend of Afghan roots and Irish life.' To the women still living under Taliban rule, Haidary offers a message: 'Never lose hope. Keep learning, keep growing. Your strength and dreams are yours. We are here to amplify your voices and stand with you.' Wardak echoes this: 'Afghan women face immense challenges, but they are not alone. Irish people have shown us kindness. We want to give back and be part of this society.'
Irish Times
18 hours ago
- Irish Times
The Irish Times view on climate policy: Government must avoid backsliding
Methane arising from agriculture and the fossil fuel industry is a notorious greenhouse gas, contributing significantly to global warming. While it breaks down relatively quickly in the atmosphere – unlike carbon dioxide – it is a serious threat to climate stabilisation. The quicker it is reduced, the more global average temperatures can be cut. Much can be done to reduce methane releases in oil and gas production, but it is much more challenging in agriculture. Livestock exporting countries like Ireland and New Zealand are supporting a new approach to classifying methane which is gaining political traction. This is based around achieving national 'temperature neutrality', also known as 'no additional warming'. The Government has yet to take a formal position on the concept. Significantly it got the backing of the Climate Change Advisory Council, its key advisory body. It chose to interpret Ireland's legally-binding climate neutrality obligations in terms of temperature neutrality – rather than the more onerous target of 'net zero emissions'. An international study , published in the Environmental Research Letters journal this week, has questioned this approach. It says that it 'grandfathers high emissions from wealthy, livestock-exporting nations', shifts the burden of cutting emissions to others, and limits space for lower-income countries to grow food systems. The approach fails on food security grounds, with trade data showing most exports serve high-income markets. This risks locking in inequality and misses 'a critical opportunity to reduce peak warming'. READ MORE The most concerning finding was highlighted by lead researcher Dr Colm Duffy of the University of Galway: 'If every country adopted a temperature neutrality target, we'd seriously jeopardise the Paris agreement's goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees or even 2 degrees.' The Government is in a bind on this. How methane is regarded in policy terms has big implications for carbon budgets up to 2040, which must be signed off on soon. Climatologist Prof John Sweeney has argued that the shift, which reduces the required emissions reduction target, is not aligned with scientific recommendations and could hinder Ireland's ability to meet its climate goals. The study emphasises that governments must set targets that are internationally credible and farmers need to be supported within a national framework, rather than targeted for blame. The bottom line is that Ireland will not meet the global climate challenge by redefining climate targets. Ireland has yet to deliver an honest appraisal of what a genuinely climate-neutral, sustainable and resilient agricultural sector could look like in coming decades. Avoiding this issue would amount to backsliding on vital climate action.
