On 12th April, five international Doctors and their families were in a park in Newry when individuals approached them and began hurling racial abuse towards them.

Cllr Young said: “I was disgusted to learn of the vile racist attack on our Doctors and their families last weekend as they spent their downtime relaxing in the sunshine. These are the very people, when you or your loved one is in need, you depend upon.

“All racism should be unequivocally condemned, and people should desist from being caught up in social media commentary. Those who verbally attacked these Doctors, nurses and their families should be ashamed of themselves.

“Our international staff are helping to support our health service across Northern Ireland. When the Southern Trust was faced with challenges around staffing issues, these medics and their families left their homes to come here and work in our hospitals and nursing homes.

“This unacceptable behaviour must come to an end immediately. It was only last year that we witnessed the devastating death of nurse Anu Okusanya following similar racist attacks towards her.”