Vandals on the rampage desecrate Jewish sites
Thursday May 12 2005
Gardai confirmed swastikas had been daubed on the Irish Jewish Museum in Portobello, Dublin, while a synagogue and Jewish cemetery were also targeted in the overnight attacks.
Museum curator Raphael Siev said the Jewish community was not expecting to be the victim of racist intimidation.
"This is quite a sustained assault, and the idiots who are doing it certainly have given no indication what is their gripe or concerns. They are just acting in an idiotic way," he said.
It is understood the racist attacks have been going on since November of last year. He said he suspected one gang was responsible for the ongoing harassment.
Anti-Semitic graffiti was sprayed on the museum in black paint.
Vandals also targeted the former residence of the first chief rabbi, graves at the Jewish cemetery in Dolphin's Barn, a Jewish old people's home and the synagogue in Terenure.
It is understood the attackers broke two windows just before midnight on Wednesday then fled, before returning hours later to spray racist signs.
Green Party chairman John Gormley called on the gardai to take immediate action to stop the attacks.
- Ed Carty
