A statistic that shouldn't go untold: racist and xenophobic incidents were up 21 percent in Northern Ireland last year. The latest report from the Equality Commission says that 242 incidents were reported in calendar year 2005.

Some of the cases detailed in its latest report reveal a shocking catalogue of racial abuse, with one African man being awarded £16,000 (€23,900) in compensation from his Co Tyrone employer.

The man, who was working as a welder, was asked by his colleagues if he knew Osama bin Laden and if he was in the country for terrorist training.

He says he also had bananas waved at him, was subjected to obscene and racist abuse and was the target of offensive graffiti, but his complaints were never taken seriously.