If it was a question of "extremists" it would be understandable (though not acceptasble) - I don't think I met many of them during my working life, but the frightening thing I found was that people who expressed racist sentiment were otherwise ordinary, easy going men and women who I would have happily spent time with socially - as long as the subject of race never came up.
To my shame, I learned to avoid such topics - for the sake of peace and quiet.
I'm sure I could happily have enjoyed a pint with many of the dockers who marched in support of Powell - as long as nobody mentioned immigration.
I was watching a film-clip recently from the Notting Hill race riots (part of the excellent London Babylon); the horrifying thing about it - no swastikas, no flags or armbands, no fascist salutes - just ordinary men and women venting their fury against 'the blacks'.
Ireland has its share of racists I am sure, but it doesn't have a race problem - not one that shows itself publicly anyway.
The most vituperative racists I have met here are those who have lived in the US or Britain.
The Achilles heel of course is the attitude to Travellers; a far worse record than Britain's with not even a pretence of an attempt to solve the problem.
It is to be hoped that Martin Collins' organisation manages to make some headway, otherwise I fear the worst.
I would recommend again the book(let) 'The Gypsy and the State' The ethnic cleansing of British Society - a chilling read
Jim Carroll