Minister visiting attack victims

Portuguese workers have been the victims of attacks

A government minister has visited Portuguese victims of alleged racist attacks in Northern Ireland.

Antonio Braga, Portugal's secretary of state for the Portuguese Communities, is holding several meetings during his two-day visit.

He will meet migrant workers in Dungannon, County Tyrone, which has a substantial Portuguese community.

Several attacks on Portuguese workers in the town are understood to have been racially motivated.

Mr Braga visited the Moypark chicken factory, the STEP Project and will hold a meeting with PSNI Divisional Commander Francis Nolan.

'Challenge racism'

On Thursday, the minister met Northern Ireland Office Criminal Justice Minister David Hanson.

He is expected to hold talks with Dungannon mayor Francie Molloy of Sinn Fein.

"Migrant workers play an important role both in the local economy and the life of the community," said Mr Molloy.

"It is important that the working conditions of migrant workers, many of whom are Portuguese, are protected.

"It is also vital that we do more to challenge racism, that appears to be growing, wherever it emanates from.

"No one in Ireland should be treated as second class citizens because we are all first class citizens."