A prominent Nigerian-born politician has declared she will not be intimidated after being spat upon during a vitriolic racial attack in Navan town centre. Councillor Yemi Adenuga, who made history as the first black woman elected to public office in Ireland, described the incident as a “frightening” escalation of the abuse she frequently endures.
The assault occurred on Friday night as Cllr Adenuga, a member of the Fine Gael party, was walking to her car following a day spent assisting local constituents. A man approached her, confirmed her identity, and launched into a xenophobic tirade, telling the Nigerian-born representative that she was “not welcome” in Ireland and should return to her country of origin.
The confrontation turned physical when the assailant spat on the Councillor, an act she described as particularly soul-crushing. While she noted that she has become sadly accustomed to verbal “derogatory” remarks, the physical act of being spat upon left her visibly shaken.
“I’m so used to it now, I brush it off like water,” Cllr Adenuga remarked. “But to get spat at! This happened in my town, in a place where I have served as a re-elected public representative for seven years.”
Despite the traumatic nature of the encounter, the Councillor remained steadfast in her commitment to her adopted country. She emphasised that as a Nigerian-Irish woman, she has dedicated her life to the service of the Navan community and refuses to let a single act of hatred define her sense of belonging.
- Identity & Service: Cllr Adenuga moved from Nigeria to Ireland, eventually becoming a pivotal voice in Meath politics.
- Community Support: Two passers-by intervened during the assault, ensuring the Councillor’s safety until the assailant fled.
- Legal Action: The incident has been formally reported to the Gardaí, who are now investigating the hate-motivated attack.
The attack has reignited the national conversation regarding the safety of ethnic minority representatives in Ireland. Cllr Adenuga warned that if a high-profile public official can be targeted and spat upon in broad daylight, it signals a dangerous environment for all vulnerable groups.
“Ireland is my home,” she affirmed. “This is my home, and by God, I’m not going to let anyone tell me otherwise or drive me out of here.”
