Indian man beaten up in racist attack in Dublin

LONDON: An Indian man was hospitalised after he was brutally beaten up and had his trousers pulled down by a gang in a violent and racist attack in Dublin at the weekend after being falsely accused of inappropriate behaviour with children.

The man, an Indian national in his 40s, was set upon by a gang of male teenagers on Saturday at 6pm and left covered in blood, bleeding from multiple wounds, before passersby came to his aid and he was rushed to hospital.

TOI understands the man works for Amazon. He arrived in Dublin three weeks ago. A group falsely accused him of misbehaving with children in a nearby playground, which then led to the unprovoked attack.

“Gardaí in Tallaght were alerted to an incident at Parkhill Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24 on the evening of Saturday, July 19, at approximately 6pm. Gardaí attended the scene and a male, aged in his 40s was taken to Tallaght University Hospital with injuries. Investigations are ongoing,” the Gardaí (Irish national police) said.

Fine Gael councillor for Tallaght South Baby Pereppadan met the man after his release from hospital on Sunday. He told the Irish Independent: “He couldn’t speak much because of the shock he was in. He is not taking any visitors at the moment. I am calling for more Garda presence in the area. Small incidents like these are happening frequently in Tallaght. People need to understand that many Indian people moving to Ireland are here on work permits, to study and work in the healthcare sector or in IT and so on, providing critical skills.”

Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South-West Seán Crowe said the “violent and racist attack” must be condemned, and must be the last. “The attack was vile and utterly unacceptable. An individual going about their day was set upon and now faces life-altering injuries simply because of the colour of his skin. Some residents are increasingly nervous to leave their homes due to this type of behaviour. My message to the young men who carried out this vicious attack is this; you’re not a patriot. You’re certainly not standing up for women and children. You are sowing hate, fear, and division in communities,” Crowe said.

A protest organised by anti-racism and pro-migrant groups is scheduled for July 26. The attack has left the Indian community in Ireland feeling very unsafe and unwelcome and they are calling on the Irish govt to facilitate engagement with immigrant and minority communities to address growing safety concerns.

Streetlink Homeless Support in Dublin said: “This was a hate crime, plain and simple. Sadly, it is not an isolated case; it is part of a growing wave of racist violence encouraged by far-right groups in Ireland.”