A disturbing wave of racially motivated attacks against Indians in Ireland has emerged in recent weeks, with at least six incidents reported since July 2025. Among the victims is a six-year-old Indian-origin girl, Nia Naveen, who was physically assaulted by a group of older children outside her home in Waterford City on Monday evening. The attack, coupled with a string of other violent hate crimes, has raised serious concerns about the safety of the Indian community in the country.
6-Year-Old Girl Attacked While Playing Outside
Nia, a native-born Irish citizen of Indian origin, was playing near her home around 7:30 PM on 4 August 2025 when she was brutally attacked by a group of children aged between 12 and 14. According to her mother, Anupa Achuthan, the children punched Nia in the face and neck, pulled her hair, and reportedly pushed a bicycle wheel into her private parts. The assailants allegedly shouted, “Dirty Indian, go back to India,” and used expletives during the assault.
Anupa, who had briefly stepped inside the house to feed her 10-month-old baby, recounted the horrific incident in an interview with the Irish Mirror. “She came back crying and terrified. She couldn’t even speak properly because of the fear. One of her friends later told me what happened. My daughter was punched multiple times. One of the boys pushed a cycle wheel onto her private parts. They used racial slurs. She’s now scared to go out, unable to sleep,” said Anupa.
The family, originally from Kottayam in Kerala, moved to their current home in the Kilbarry area of Waterford in January. Anupa, a nurse, has lived in Ireland for eight years and recently received citizenship. Her husband, K.S. Naveen, also works in Ireland. Though the family identified the gang responsible, Anupa emphasized that she does not want the children punished, but rather educated and counselled. Irish police have been informed of the incident.
Cab Driver Attacked with Bottle in Ballymun
Just a day after the assault on the child, another Indian-origin individual, cab driver Lakhvir Singh, was attacked in Ballymun, a suburb of Dublin, on 5 August 2025. Singh, who has lived in Ireland for 23 years, was attacked by two passengers, aged around 20 to 21, after he drove them from northside Dublin to Poppintree. Upon arrival, the assailants struck Singh on the head with a glass bottle, causing severe bleeding. Singh said they shouted, “Go back to your own country,” before fleeing the scene.
Singh, bleeding and injured, knocked on several doors for help but received no response. He eventually dialed 999 and was taken to Beaumont Hospital by emergency services. Singh remains traumatised and fearful of returning to work.
Sous Chef from Kolkata Robbed and Assaulted
In another recent case, Laxman Das, a sous chef originally from Kolkata, was attacked in Dublin while on his way to work at the Anantara The Marker Hotel. The incident took place near the Hilton Hotel, where three attackers assaulted him and stole his mobile phone, electric bike, and cash. Das was admitted to St. Vincent’s University Hospital following the attack.
Amazon Employee Brutally Attacked and Stripped
On 19 July 2025, an Indian-origin Amazon employee, aged 40, was viciously beaten and partially stripped in Tallaght, Dublin. The man had only recently arrived in Ireland, having been there for just three weeks. A teenage gang reportedly stabbed him in the face, beat him, and removed some of his clothes before fleeing the scene. The Irish police later stated that initial accusations against the victim regarding inappropriate behavior near children were unfounded. Authorities are treating the incident as a hate crime.
Jennifer Murray, an Irish woman who came to the man’s aid, told the media that this was not an isolated case. “This was clearly racially motivated. This is not the first time,” she said.
Data Scientist Left with Fractured Cheekbone After Teen Mob Attack
At the end of July, Santosh Yadav, a 32-year-old data scientist from India, was assaulted by a gang of six teenagers near his Dublin residence. Yadav sustained a fractured cheekbone and other injuries. He recounted the attack in a LinkedIn post, saying the teens broke his glasses, punched him repeatedly in the head, face, chest, and legs, and left him bleeding on the pavement.
He was later taken to Blanchardstown Hospital, where his injuries were confirmed and referred for further specialist treatment. Yadav also accused Irish police of being slow to act and delaying investigation procedures.
Rising Anti-Immigrant Sentiment in Ireland
The spate of attacks comes amid a growing anti-immigrant sentiment in Ireland. Some groups have falsely accused immigrants, including Indians, of being responsible for the country’s housing crisis. Prashant Shukla, Chairman of the Ireland India Council, dismissed the claim as “mischievous propaganda.”
The Council has written to multiple Irish government ministers, drawing attention to the rise in racial attacks against Indian nationals and calling for immediate action. The organization has also urged the government to consider legal measures that would hold parents accountable when minors commit racially motivated crimes.
Indian Embassy Issues Advisory
In response to the increasing incidents of violence, the Indian Embassy in Ireland issued an advisory on August 1 urging Indian nationals to take reasonable precautions, especially avoiding deserted areas during odd hours.
The spate of racial attacks has sparked fear and concern within the Indian community in Ireland, with many calling for stronger protection, education, and accountability to prevent further violence.
(With inputs from OpIndia)
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