Anti-Irish Jokes in British Prison paper prompts complaints

Euro_Kraut

From today's Irish Times:

Irish jokes in British prison newspaper prompt complaints

MARK HENNESSY London Editor

A NEWSPAPER circulated to tens of thousands of prisoners in British jails has been criticised by an Irish welfare group for carrying a series of anti-Irish jokes in two recent editions.

The newspaper, Inside Times , carried two jokes submitted by prisoners in its September issue, and then dismissed complaints from Irish prisoners in its October issue, when it carried a third joke.

One joke reads: “A condemned man sat in the electric chair awaiting his execution, but there was a fault. They called in Paddy the electrician to try and sort out the problems. After two hours, he still hadn’t found it and told the Governor, ‘This thing is a bloody death-trap.’”

A second read: “An Irishman goes for a job on a building site. The boss asks, ‘Can you brew tea?’ Yes, he says. The boss then asks, ‘Can you drive a fork-lift?’ ‘Why, how big is the tea-pot?’” Describing the jokes as “deeply offensive”, an Irish prisoner wrote to the newspaper to complain they implied Irishmen “are basically stupid”, and asked if similar jokes would have been directed at black people or Muslims.

In reply, the newspaper quoted the late Irish comedian Dave Allen who once said: “You might as well laugh at yourself once in a while – everyone else does.” This, the newspaper said, was “sound advice at any time”.

The newspaper, run by a charity, the Newbridge Foundation, and circulated to 46,000 prisoners through prison libraries, could fuel anti-Irish prejudice in jails, said Conor McGinn of the London-based Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas.

The publication of the first jokes was “shocking enough”, said Mr McGinn, but “the editor’s response to my and Irish prisoners’ complaints was absolutely disgraceful. I have since been in contact with Inside Times and they are unrepentant. They have said the jokes weren’t racist and that ‘someone always has to be the butt of the joke’, but were unable to provide a single incidence of another ethnic minority community being targeted in this way.”

Denying the paper had been racist, Inside Time operations director John Roberts said he had asked Mr McGinn to write to him to explain “so that we can see exactly what the issue is”. “We do not do anything with a view to offending people. Obviously, it isn’t our intention to do so,” said Mr Roberts, who is married to an Irishwoman.

“The whole object is to make people’s lives easier in prison.”

These Irish prisinors in British jails are a sensitive lot.

mike65

They have a newspapaer, a free newspaper? Bloody disgrace!

Insect Overlord

Paddy Irishman, Paddy Scottsman and Paddy Englishman were sharing a prison-cell...

Captain Havoc

I never took offense to an Irish joke but then again I have a very un PC sense of humour anyway.

Bob_Harris

In fairness your average Irish Joe is a bit thick.

NothingMan

They're perfectly harmless jokes, but to put them into a publication makes the English man look more stupid than us Paddys.

Firewalkwithme

I suppose you could call the readers of this newspaper 'a captive audience'...






I'll get my coat.....

Delirium

They're upset that the jokes are calling them stupid.

But yet they can't understand something as simple as don't break the law??

smk89

What do you put in a prison newspaper?
Is this between the world news and classifieds

"Bubba (39) seeks man for friendship possibly more"

mikom

An Englishman, an Irishman, and a Scotsman walk into a pub.
They have a load of drinks, then go to a club, where they amuse each other and those around them by slurring their words in their very strong regional accents.
Then they get a taxi back to the house of the Englishman as he lives nearest, and stay the night.
The next morning, the Scotsman and the Irishmen walk home as they are still hungover and do not wish to risk driving.

Wossack

mike65 wrote: »

They have a newspapaer, a free newspaper? Bloody disgrace!

and its set up by a charity who the heck would donate to that..?

dlofnep

Not offended by the jokes at all - but they are correct in the pick and choosery. They could not make the same jokes about black people or muslims, and should not be able to make jokes about Irish people. What might not offend you, may offend others. And in an environment where they may be treated as lessers, these type of jokes may have a bigger impact - nobody here can be sure.

The publication should remove the jokes and avoid this sort of nonsense.

gerTheGreat

I had a conversation with a Brittish company today where they told me that they don't deliver in to Southern Ireland. I asked if that was near the Republic. They didn't like that question but tbh I didn't like the term "Southern Ireland", so I guess we're even.

My name is URL

Jokes about the electric chair in a prison magazine??

Win

dlofnep

gerTheGreat wrote: »

I had a conversation with a Brittish company today where they told me that they don't deliver in to Southern Ireland. I asked if that was near the Republic. They didn't like that question but tbh I didn't like the term "Southern Ireland", so I guess we're even.

Well, neither Southern Ireland or the Republic exist. So you were both equally wrong.

I often hear Southern Ireland used on the phone, as I work in a company that deals with British customers. They generally don't mean it in a political context but if I feel they are getting political I'll tell them that I'm in the south-east of Ireland which quickly makes them feel awkward.

stovelid

I'm more offended at their categorization as jokes.

Long Onion

Blah, blah, blah, southern ireland, blah, blah, blah, ...

Whats the big deal with taking offence to this? Are you seriously telling me that you don't refer to the 6 counties as northern ireland (or norn iron depending on location) you can't have your fooking cake and eat it.

If you feel so strongly catch a plane to Derrylondon and complain to Gordon Brown. Honestly, some people!

ch750536

I dont take offence but then Im not Irish.

I would like to see them try to make some jokes about disabled people, like they said you have to laugh at yourself, or if you can't at least dribble in a certain direction.

gerTheGreat

Long Onion wrote: »

Blah, blah, blah, southern ireland, blah, blah, blah, ...

Whats the big deal with taking offence to this? Are you seriously telling me that you don't refer to the 6 counties as northern ireland (or norn iron depending on location) you can't have your fooking cake and eat it.

If you feel so strongly catch a plane to Derrylondon and complain to Gordon Brown. Honestly, some people!

Actually I found it funny. That said, last time I checked Southern Ireland doesn't show up on any maps. Nothern Ireland does.

I was mearly pointing out this person's stupidity.

ejmaztec

They should lock the racist bastards up.

Euro_Kraut

Long Onion wrote: »

Whats the big deal with taking offence to this? Are you seriously telling me that you don't refer to the 6 counties as northern ireland (or norn iron depending on location) you can't have your fooking cake and eat it.

Malin Head, Southern Ireland? British people tend to get very fuddled when talking about Ireland. Bless them they mean no harm. I know that they can get their nose bitten off them when the call Paisley and his crew Irish. Most non-politically minded Brits I have met are a bit confused about the Irish situation. Its seems very clear cut to us because we have grown up with the distinction but less so to them. They generally do not intend to offend.



Anyways, I's prefer if they call it the Free State or the Popish Breakaway personally.

ShooterSF

Shame. It's one thing I'm proud of as an Irishman is our general ability to take a joke in good humour. I hope that doesn't change. Just because some blacks or muslims (two examples in the OP) throw a hissy fit doesn't mean we should. We should be proud of our sense of humour and see them for what they are, jokes. Lame jokes but still jokes.

Size=everything

gerTheGreat wrote: »

I had a conversation with a Brittish company today where they told me that they don't deliver in to Southern Ireland. I asked if that was near the Republic. They didn't like that question but tbh I didn't like the term "Southern Ireland", so I guess we're even.

Republic of where?
Because despite what FIFA have named our soccer team this country is not known as The Republic of Ireland it is simply Ireland.

FouxDaFaFa

I found the fact that the paper is called "The Inside Times" funnier than the jokes themselves...:D

dlofnep

ShooterSF wrote: »

Shame. It's one thing I'm proud of as an Irishman is our general ability to take a joke in good humour. I hope that doesn't change. Just because some blacks or muslims (two examples in the OP) throw a hissy fit doesn't mean we should. We should be proud of our sense of humour and see them for what they are, jokes. Lame jokes but still jokes.

We should be, but how many racially or ethnically orientated jokes towards anyone else exist in that paper? Probably none.

It's great to be able to take a joke, but it's not great to be a joke. We should have some self respect and not take a subservient attitude all the time.

Euro_Kraut

ShooterSF wrote: »

Shame. It's one thing I'm proud of as an Irishman is our general ability to take a joke in good humour. I hope that doesn't change. Just because some blacks or muslims (two examples in the OP) throw a hissy fit doesn't mean we should. We should be proud of our sense of humour and see them for what they are, jokes. Lame jokes but still jokes.

I prefer if they call it the Free State or the Popish Breakaway personally.

You are right. I think its an issue of self confidence too. The vast majority of us are now confident in our nationality and do not take offence at this mild ribbing. The Simpsons came over and made fun of us for St Patrick’s Day and they were allowed to lead the St Patrick Day Parade in Dublin.

This Irish charity, which is based in England, appears to well out of touch with sensibilities back home.

stovelid

Blow up the prison. That'll sort them out.

Euro_Kraut

Size=everything wrote: »

Republic of where?
Because despite what FIFA have named our soccer team this country is not known as The Republic of Ireland it is simply Ireland.

Its not that simple.

Republic of Ireland Act 1948

IN ACT TO REPEAL THE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY (EXTERNAL RELATIONS) ACT, 1936 , TO DECLARE THAT THE DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE SHALL BE THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND, AND TO ENABLE THE PRESIDENT TO EXERCISE THE EXECUTIVE POWER OR ANY EXECUTIVE FUNCTION OF THE STATE IN OR IN CONNECTION WITH ITS EXTERNAL RELATIONS

getz

we are very much in a PC world/irish jokes /what next ?.crime rate in london for the last six months,one fifth of all crimes were committed by non british nationals,the worst were by people from poland then by jamaicans and the next were by irish nationals,and thats no joke

Sully

On a more serious note... Have we established the size of the tea pot yet? Must have been massive!

arybvtcw0eolkf

Q; What language do Irish gay's speak?...




A; Gay-lick.





.

asdasd

I wonder if the Irish prison service is too PC to take those Irish jokes and make them Polak jokes, which are ( or were) all the rage in the US.

asdasd

the worst were by people from poland then by jamaicans and the next were by irish nationals,and thats no joke

source?

Lux23

I think the electric chair joke is pretty funny and actually its something I can imagine alot of Irish people saying, jokingly of course.

Long Onion

We were styled as a republic and our constitution was heavily influenced by the French one, though the drafters and first Dail stopped short of an outright declaration, as Eurokraut rightly points out, such a declaration was subsequently made in 1948.

With all the confusion, perhaps the most accurate name is Eire?

Now back to the Ireland jokes - why the fcuk does everyone get so sensitive it's a joke, just like the photo of Biffo on the sh1tter with his big titties, laugh if you find it funny, ignore it if you don't but please make sure to remove the PC slippers before entering AH - they dirty the carpet.

ScumLord

Those jokes aren't remotely offensive. They're not making fun of Irish more laughing with us. Those jokes show the typical kind of smart arse reply you'll get off any Irish person to a serious question/situation.

asdasd

Those jokes aren't remotely offensive. They're not making fun of Irish more laughing with us. Those jokes show the typical kind of smart arse reply you'll get off any Irish person to a serious question/situation.

True. I hadnt read the jokes. Read them with the idea that the Irish guy is being sarcastic and it gives a whole new light to the thing.

stovelid

Jokes inferring mental inferiority are wrong.

Unless they're the anti-American ones so beloved of Europeans (including us) on a superiority trip, of course.

asdasd

Jokes inferring mental inferiority are wrong.

Implying dude, implying.

Elliemental

dlofnep wrote: »

And in an environment where they may be treated as lessers, these type of jokes may have a bigger impact - nobody here can be sure.

Absolutely. I would imagine that the atmosphere inside a prison is like a pressure cooker at the best of times, and jokes like this, that may appear a small matter to us, could easily inflame an already tense situation.

ejmaztec

They shouldn't have jokes of any description in prisons, and should just allow the scum's victims to poke them in the eye with a stick. That would be funny, in a funny kind of way.

dlofnep

Long Onion wrote: »

Now back to the Ireland jokes - why the fcuk does everyone get so sensitive it's a joke, just like the photo of Biffo on the sh1tter with his big titties, laugh if you find it funny, ignore it if you don't but please make sure to remove the PC slippers before entering AH - they dirty the carpet.

Have you conveniently looked past the point that I made that in a prison environment, where Irish people in Britain might be looked down upon - these jokes might have a little more impact? I guess that would be too much for you to absorb. What may seem harmless to you and I, may not be harmless there. Don't be so close-minded about the issue.

stovelid

asdasd wrote: »

Implying, dude, implying.

fyp


/to retain a shred of dignity

ShooterSF

dlofnep wrote: »

We should be, but how many racially or ethnically orientated jokes towards anyone else exist in that paper? Probably none.

I agree there and would applaud them if they printed a joke about every ethnicity, religion etc.

It's great to be able to take a joke, but it's not great to be a joke. We should have some self respect and not take a subservient attitude all the time.

I suppose you can split it into two groups. People that see it as a joke and as you said no harm and those that have a chip about the Irish and who get their racist kicks out of such a joke and even there who's the real joke? The person who spends their life with some bitter feelings towards us or us who laugh off the joke and get on with our life?

Slow Motion

I wonder if they ever thought of doing a Readers Bitches edition?

LordSutch

I remember a couple of years ago when Dara O'Brien got terribly offended because Jonathan Ross kept doing a 'stage Irish' accent while interviewing him! I say get a grip for fu** sake, & take the Irish jokes/accents on the chin, Wossy also does Welsh accents & Yorkshire accents too :eek: and as for Irish jokes 'Why not'? lets face it we take the pi** out of everyone else, and yet we get so offended when anyone takes us off ......

Time some Irish people grew up.

dlofnep

ShooterSF wrote: »

I agree there and would applaud them if they printed a joke about every ethnicity, religion etc.


I suppose you can split it into two groups. People that see it as a joke and as you said no harm and those that have a chip about the Irish and who get their racist kicks out of such a joke and even there who's the real joke? The person who spends their life with some bitter feelings towards us or us who laugh off the joke and get on with our life?

Like I said, I'm all in favour of taking a joke in our stride - but it's almost as if we are made feel that being able to routinely being made fun it is an admirable trait.

It reminds me of people making fun of some guy with a severe learning disability in school, and he laughing along confusingly in order to not create tension and to try and feel apart of the group. We've spent the better part of a century or 2 being used as figure pieces for jokes across the world - in Britain and in America. I'm all for a joke every now and again, but routinely joking about a nation of people as dumb, ignorant arse-backwards people gets a little tiring.

getz

asdasd wrote: »

source?

daily telegraph,just type in ,foreigners commit fifth of crime in london.i have yet to hear a irish comedian in the UK or in ireland who doesent make his living without telling irish jokes, anyone think of one ?

breadandjam

Both "Jokes" work without the Electrician or the builder being Irish. So why make them Irish? At the very least it's patronising. Okay you mightn't think they're offensive but that's grand when you're here. It's a different story when you're in Britain and hearing Irish Jokes day in day out.

Thirdfox

I liked the tea pot joke - could have been used with any race really.

I think as long as the jokes are varied and not constantly concentrated on one group of people then it's fine. The first joke simply wasn't very funny (in my opinion!)

ejmaztec

Camelot wrote: »

I remember a couple of years ago when Dara O'Brien got terribly offended because Jonathan Ross kept doing a 'stage Irish' accent while interviewing him! I say get a grip for fu** sake, & take the Irish jokes/accents on the chin, Wossy also does Welsh accents & Yorkshire accents too :eek: and as for Irish jokes 'Why not'? lets face it we take the pi** out of everyone else, and yet we get so offended when anyone takes us off ......

Time some Irish people grew up.

He should master the English accent before he tries any others, the pwat.