Irish President Michael D. Higgins has issued a forceful condemnation of recent racially motivated attacks against members of the Indian community in Ireland, calling such acts “despicable” and fundamentally at odds with the values of Irish society. In his statement, Higgins expressed a “deep sense of gratitude” for the Indian community’s significant role in Irish life, noting their contributions in medicine, nursing, care services, culture, business, and enterprise. He described their presence as a source of enrichment, generosity, and mutual benefit for the country as a whole.
The President’s remarks come amid a troubling rise in racially motivated violence targeting Indian-origin residents. The Indian Embassy in Dublin has issued an urgent safety advisory to its nationals, urging them to avoid isolated areas and exercise heightened caution. Reports indicate a growing number of physical attacks, prompting serious concern among both Indian officials and Irish authorities. Higgins linked the situation to broader principles of Irish identity, stressing that messages of hatred—whether spoken publicly or spread through social media—corrode Ireland’s traditions of hospitality, friendship, and compassion for others.
The President also drew on the historical ties between India and Ireland, recalling their shared struggles for independence and the contributions of figures such as Irishwoman Margaret Cousins, who co-founded the All India Women’s Conference. He emphasised that these deep cultural and diplomatic connections should serve as a reminder of the mutual respect and solidarity that must guide both nations’ communities. Higgins warned that any attack on members of the Indian community “diminishes all of us” and obscures the value they have brought to Ireland’s collective life.
Recent incidents have highlighted the gravity of the situation. On July 19, a 40-year-old Amazon employee from India, who had been in Ireland for just three weeks, was brutally assaulted by a teenage gang in Tallaght, Dublin. The victim was beaten, stabbed in the face, partially stripped, and later required a brain scan due to the severity of his injuries. Days later, Santosh Yadav, a 32-year-old resident, was attacked by six teenagers near his Dublin apartment, suffering a fractured cheekbone and multiple injuries. Another Indian-origin man, Lakhvir Singh, was struck on the head with a bottle in Ballymun during an unprovoked assault in which attackers allegedly shouted racial abuse.
Advocacy groups say these incidents point to deeper systemic problems in Ireland’s handling of hate crimes. Teresa Buczkowska, CEO of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, has argued that the Indian community appears to be a particular target, though the wider issue affects multiple immigrant groups. She has criticised “outdated mechanisms” within An Garda SÃochána, Ireland’s police force, and the lack of specialised training for officers, which she says makes it harder for victims to come forward and for cases to be effectively addressed.
Higgins concluded his statement with a firm reminder that Ireland must remain a place “where all communities can live in safety, dignity, and mutual respect.” He underscored that the protection of these values should be absolute, applying equally to every person who forms part of the nation’s diverse society.
