Five doctors at Daisy Hill Hospital were subjected to racial abuse as they enjoyed a day out with their families at a local play park.
And the incident has been described as “repulsive” by the local MP for the area.
The victims of the incident were all international doctors who had been employed at the Newry hospital, which has suffered widely publicised difficulties in terms of staff recruitment.
Sinn Féin’s Dáire Hughes said the doctors and their families had been victims of “vile racist abuse” and slammed those responsible for the latest in a series of racially-motivated incidents.
“This is absolutely disgraceful and disgusting behaviour,” said the Newry and Armagh MP. “It has no place in today’s society.
“This is repulsive behaviour that is in no way representative of the people of Newry. There is no place in society for racism or racist acts.
“The people of our community welcome and champion diversity in all its forms and the huge positives it brings.”
Mr Hughes continued: “We have worked hard locally to promote and protect services at Daisy Hill Hospital. The recruitment of vital international health workers was a key component in securing services at our local hospital and providing the best quality local healthcare.
“Up to 70 doctors and specialised nurses were recruited to local hospitals. Their commitment and contribution to local healthcare is supreme. These people and their families have uprooted their lives to provide essential services for the people of Newry and Armagh and further afield.
“The overwhelming majority of people in our community welcome these people and their families, and recognise the immense contribution they make to local healthcare and wider society. The repulsive actions of a few racists will not change that, but their despicable actions have caused fear and anxiety.”
The Sinn Féin MP said that this unfortunately was not the first such type of incident.
“Myself and my colleague Liz Kimmins MLA had some time back highlighted a spate of racially motivated incidents which had taken place in our city,” added Mr Hughes.
“The victims had been local health workers and business owners. We had hoped that this warped behaviour would cease but unfortunately it hasn’t.
“We all must redouble our efforts to stamp out these warped behaviours from our streets and continue to stand in solidarity with anyone facing odious and repulsive racism.
“Anyone with any information about this specific incident, or indeed any such assaults, should contact the PSNI.”
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