From isolated incidents to a disturbing pattern: Why Indians in Ireland are facing a surge in targeted attacks

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In recent months, Ireland has witnessed a disturbing rise in racially motivated attacks against members of its Indian community, leaving many feeling unsafe and rattled, and raising urgent questions about the country’s ability to protect minority groups.

From verbal harassment to violent assaults, the incidents have not been isolated, but part of a growing pattern that is sparking alarm among both Indian residents and the Irish authorities.

The incidents: From harassment to violence

One of the most recent and shocking cases involved a 60-year-old Indian-origin woman who reported being racially harassed at a Dublin bus stop. According to a Reddit post shared by a friend, two young boys, barely seven or eight years old, first approached her father for selfies but then mocked him and attempted to steal his wallet. Matters escalated when one of the boys allegedly blocked her father’s path and made obscene grabbing gestures toward him. “No one should have to feel unsafe or powerless in public spaces, regardless of their background,” she said, urging the government to take action.

This was not an isolated incident. Earlier this month, a six-year-old Indian-origin girl was assaulted and subjected to racial slurs in southeast Ireland. In Dublin, an Indian taxi driver was attacked with a broken bottle by two passengers who told him to “go back to your country.”

Such cases have triggered widespread fear in the Indian community, prompting the Indian Embassy in Dublin to issue a safety advisory on August 1, urging citizens to take precautions, avoid deserted areas, and remain vigilant.

Condemnations but few concrete answers

The Irish Embassy in New Delhi condemned the attacks “in the strongest possible terms,” calling them “an assault on the values of equality and human dignity that Ireland holds dear.” It stressed that “the actions of the few do not reflect the spirit of the Irish people” and promised that such acts “will not be tolerated.” The embassy also highlighted the contributions of Ireland’s Indian diaspora, now numbering over 100,000, to the country’s cultural and economic life.

Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris, met Indian community representatives and unequivocally condemned the “despicable acts of violence and racism.” However, law enforcement has so far not disclosed the exact number or nature of the incidents, fuelling criticism that authorities are underplaying the scale of the problem.

India Day postponed: A cultural setback

In a sign of how serious the situation has become, the Ireland India Council, which has organised the country’s largest celebration of Indian culture since 2015, postponed this year’s India Day event, originally scheduled for August, citing safety concerns. Co-chairman Prashant Shukla said the decision was “very difficult” but necessary, given the “speed of hate coming on our social media” and the heightened risk to attendees.

Underlying causes: A growing underbelly of hate

While Ireland has long prided itself on being an open, inclusive society, recent events suggest a more troubling undercurrent. Community leaders point to the rise of far-right narratives and anti-immigrant sentiment, amplified by online misinformation and scapegoating of immigrants for Ireland’s housing and economic challenges. Shukla specifically warned of “extreme right propaganda” that falsely portrays Indian immigrants as contributing to the housing crisis.

This aligns with a broader pattern seen across parts of Europe, where economic pressures, a shortage of affordable housing, and social media-fuelled disinformation have created fertile ground for xenophobia. Children as young as seven engaging in racial harassment, as seen in the Dublin bus stop case, reflect not only poor supervision but also the seepage of racist attitudes into the next generation.

Why it matters

The attacks are not just assaults on individuals; they are assaults on the fabric of Irish society. Ireland has benefited enormously from the Indian community, which has enriched the country’s cultural diversity and contributed in fields ranging from medicine and engineering to education and business. Yet, fear and distrust threaten to erode these bonds.

The Indian community’s growing unease, coupled with delayed police transparency, risks damaging Ireland’s international image as a safe and welcoming country. With approximately 10,000 Indian students enrolled in Irish universities and over 80,000 people of Indian descent living in the country, the stakes are high.