A leading cancer specialist who has lived in Ireland for nearly 40 years since arriving as a refugee in the 1980s has said he experienced racism here for the first time after this weekend’s Galway hotel fire.
University of Galway Cancer Biology Professor Afshin Samali lives with his family around 2km from the Ross Lake Hotel.
The hotel was due to accommodate around 70 asylum seekers until it erupted in flames in what Gardaí believe was an arson attack on Saturday night.
Prof Samali tweeted about the fire and his experiences in Ireland on Sunday afternoon – and was met with a “barrage of hate speech and racist comments”.
He told Newstalk Breakfast that it’s the first time he has experienced anything like it here.
“I've lived in Ireland about 38 years and frankly, I have experienced nothing but kindness, generosity and compassion from my friends, neighbours and everyone I have encountered until [Sunday] evening,” he said.
“I put out a thread of six tweets to basically talk about what has happened in my neighbourhood; to talk about my experiences in the last 30 years, talking about my life in Rosscahill, talking about the work I do in the university and that we need to be open-minded, open-hearted and compassionate to our neighbours.
“I received a barrage of hate speech and racist comments but a lot more messages of kindness and support, but it was my first experience of this, you know, racism in Ireland.”
Fire engulfs Ross Lake House in Rosscahill, County Galway. 17-12-2023.Prof Samali said he was really shocked when he woke up to the news that the Ross Lake Hotel had burned down.
“[I was] really surprised that this can happen in my neighbourhood, in my locality and talking to some of the neighbours, everyone is in shock and at the moment there is a tense atmosphere in the neighbourhood,” he said.
“People are coming to terms with what has happened and yeah, some people are really fearful.”
I came to Ireland as a refugee in December 38 years ago. I received a very warm Irish welcome. The Ireland that I came to call my home has changed a lot in recent years. I am shocked at events over the last couple of days in my neighbourhood (1/6) https://t.co/VgV47cjEZt
— Afshin Samali (@Afshin_Samali) December 17, 2023
In his line of work, Prof Samali searches for new ways to target cancer cells while leaving healthy cells untouched.
Just last month, he was named on a prestigious list of the world’s most highly cited researchers.
He said the people targeting him with racism do not care about the good he is doing in Irish society.
“I got a lot of comments [from] people saying, ‘Go back to where you came from’ and, ‘It's time for you to leave, why haven't you left already after 38 years?
“So I think yes, they don't care what contribution people are making to the betterment of their society.”
Racism
He said he does feel shaken at the comments – but he is more determined than ever to address racism in society.
“I feel very strongly that we need to raise awareness, we need to speak out,” he said.
“We shouldn't be fearful of what has happened and only education can change people's views and way of thinking.
“Over the last few days, I have had people coming to the house - the neighbours, we have had a lot of text messages, a lot of emails from the wider community coming to me - and people are very happy that I've spoken up and I've spoken out.
“They are saying that they're shocked, they are fearful and most importantly, they are saying that what has happened over the weekend has not been done in their name.”
Being kind is not just for Christmas or for one day in the year and not just for our own families. It’s a way of life. My heart and my home have always been open to those in need. (6/6)
— Afshin Samali (@Afshin_Samali) December 17, 2023
Prof Samali said his family came to Ireland in 1985 fleeing religious persecution in Iran.
“My parents’ lives were in danger, that's why we had to leave the country,” he said.
“I think refugees are coming, leaving their home country, not because they're moving for better economic conditions.
“They're leaving because of fear of their lives; they're leaving because they cannot live their own in their own homeland, in their own country, any longer.”
Gardaí are continuing to investigate the fire at the Ross Lake Hotel.
Authorities are currently assessing the damage; however, the hotel is not expected to be suitable for any form of accommodation in the short to medium term.
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Main image shows Prof Afshin Samali. Image: University of Galway
