Irish President Michael D Higgins, in a statement on Tuesday, has expressed “deep gratitude” to the Indian community for its immense contributions to Ireland and has condemned the rise in racial attacks against the Indian community.
Condemning recent attacks on members of the Indian community as “despicable” and contrary to Irish values, he warned against ignorance and malice that fuel such acts. Ireland’s history of migration, he said, should guide how newcomers are treated: with hospitality, friendship, and care. He urged that hate speech — online or offline — be rejected, ensuring that all communities live in safety, dignity, and mutual respect.
In a statement, Higgins expressed “a deep sense of gratitude” to the Indian community for its contributions to Irish life, citing their role in medicine, nursing, cultural life, business and enterprise.
“As President of Ireland, may I take the opportunity at this time of stress for some of their community to express the deep sense of gratitude we all in Ireland owe to the Indian community here. We are all mindful of the immense contribution this community has made, and continues to make, to so many aspects of Irish life, in medicine, nursing, the caring professions, in cultural life, in business and enterprise, to cite just some. Their presence, their work, their culture, have been a source of enrichment and generosity to our shared life,” he said.
He stressed that Ireland’s history of migration should guide its treatment of newcomers, adding that hatred, including on social media, erodes values of “hospitality, friendship, and care for others”.
The press release shared by the Irish President’s office comes after a string of alleged racially motivated attacks against Indians in Ireland. This month itself an Indian-origin taxi driver, a six-year-old girl and a 60-year-old woman were subjected to racial harassment.
Meanwhile, the Ireland India Council has said it has postponed its annual “India Day” celebrations in Dublin, scheduled for Sunday, due to a recent spate of violent attacks on members of the community.
Prashant Shukla, co-chairman of the diaspora group working on closer India-Irish relations, said on Monday that it was not a “conducive” time to hold the event, coinciding with Indian Independence Day, amid safety concerns for Indians in Ireland. He was speaking soon after a meeting with the Irish Deputy Prime Minister, Tánaiste Simon Harris, to discuss the community’s concerns in the wake of violent attacks in recent weeks.
“We discussed a range of issues, particularly safety and security of Indians in Ireland,” Shukla told reporters after the meeting.
“We want to make an announcement, as we feel the situation at the moment for holding India Day is not conducive. We will review the situation and announce new dates,” he said.
Following Monday's talks, Harris took to social media to welcome the “very positive contribution” of the Indian community in Ireland.
“I completely condemn the despicable acts of violence and racism that we have seen against some members of the Indian community in recent weeks. I want to thank the Indian community for their very positive contribution to Ireland,” said the Deputy PM. India Day has been organised by the Ireland India Council every year since 2015 at Farmleigh House and Estate at Phoenix Park in the Irish capital, in collaboration with government and community organisations such as the Federation of Indian Communities in Ireland (FICI).
Ever since a brutal attack on a 40-year-old Indian man at Parkhill Road in the Tallaght suburb of Dublin last month hit global headlines, there have been several reports of similar targeted attacks on the community across Ireland.
*With Agency Inputs
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
