By our reporter 28.9.2025
A former Nigerian born nun turned politician in Ireland, Ejiro O’Hare Stratton says she has been left heartbroken after being subjected to racial abuse in broad day light.
Ejiro who is a councilor in Drogheda and has lived in Ireland for 35 years was abused by a man who was filming her as she walked down the street in Co Louth town last Friday, September 26 and was shouting at her: “You should go back to your country.
“Here is the Nigerian lady who came to Ireland as a nun for the Presidential Election.”
Ejiro a mother of four, made history in 2024 when she became the first black person from Drogheda to be elected to Louth County Council. She is also an assistant director of nursing at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.
“This was not only an attack on me personally but also on the values of respect, inclusion and dignity that our town should stand for. No one should feel unsafe or unwelcome in a place we all call home,” said Ejiro.
“My heart bleeds to see a handful of people try to paint our beautiful community in such a negative way.
“In my 35 years here, I have never witnessed anything like this before. The Irish community I know and the community I married into are kind, friendly and wonderfully hospitable.
“These positive experiences are what have shaped my life here and I will not allow the actions of one individual to erase or diminish the same.”
According to Irish Mirror she has demanded for stronger measures be introduced to tackle racism and hate-motivated harassment in Drogheda, where there are Indian, Pakistani and African communities.
The Mayor of Drogheda, Michelle Hall, and other councilors condemned the racial targeting of their colleague.
Ejiro O'Hare Stratton...not a smiling matter.