Virgin Media star Katja Mia has revealed that the dad of a friend of hers was chased by far right protestors during the unrest in Coolock. There were several incidents of unrest and public disturbance at the site of a proposed asylum seeker centre in Coolock in July, with a number of people being arrested and members of the gardaí being injured. Six O’Clock Show host Katja , who was raised in Lucan after her parents fled war-torn Burundi, said that the far right have gone ‘too far’ over the rioting — and said it is difficult if you’re black in Ireland.
‘It is hard to see, a friend of mine’s dad who is a pensioner was working part-time as a security guard and was chased in Coolock just for existing,’ Katja told the Irish Mirror at Virgin Media ‘s new season launch. ‘It’s crazy how a lot of these bigots have grown in confidence. The far right have gone too far now.
‘Black and brown people struggle with it a little bit more at times because we can’t hide that we are not from Ireland ethnically, so you are subject to racial attacks on the streets now and again. A lot of people have been anxious lately, friends that I talk to, they feel a little bit more on edge, especially in town [Dublin].’ While Katja said that she herself hasn’t been the target of any racist comments recently, she still does get mean comments alongside her co-host on the Six O’Clock Show, Brian Dowling — with her saying that the pair usually just laugh it off.
‘We exchange the s**t that people say to us, and we laugh at it,’ Brian added. ‘But, me as a gay man and Katja as a black woman, with us being on national telly every day, that representation alone must be so triggering for anyone out there that is racist or homophobic!’ Katja recently celebrated seven years with her boyfriend , online influencer and ‘Guinness Guru’ Darragh Curran, with her sharing a photo of her and her beau over the years to her Instagram. One hilarious picture in post sees Daragh not looking happy with the tiny pigtails Katja gave him, complete with pink and orange coloured bobbins — with Katja captioning her post ‘7 trips around the sun with my forever love.
Happy anniversary baby (swipe for surprise pic at the end).’ A post shared by Katja Mia (@katja_miaa) The comments section of the post saw Katja’s famous friends and fans congratulating her on hitting the seven year milestone and wishing both her and Daragh well. Katja’s Six O’Clock Show co-host Brian Dowling said: ‘Happy anniversary darling.
’ Brian’s husband Arthur Gourounlian added: ‘You beauties. Happy anniversary.’ While one fan commented: ‘Most gorgeous couple who adore each other!! Huge happy anniversary.
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