Avoid deserted areas: Gang attack on Indians in Ireland sparks embassy advisory

Amid a rise in racially motivated assaults on Indians in Ireland, the Indian Embassy in Dublin has issued a safety advisory urging citizens to avoid deserted areas and remain vigilant. Recent incidents include the assault of a 32-year-old Indian man who suffered a fractured cheekbone, and an Amazon employee who was attacked and stripped in Dublin. The Embassy is coordinating with Irish authorities and has provided emergency helpline numbers.

In view of a growing number of physical assaults against Indians in Ireland, the Embassy of India in Dublin on Friday issued an urgent safety advisory, urging all Indian citizens in the country to avoid going to deserted places and exercise heightened caution. The advisory follows cases of attacks by teen gangs on Indian-origin persons.

Last Sunday, a 32-year-old Indian-origin man was attacked by six teenagers in Dublin, leaving him with a fractured cheekbone. The assault, similar to a recent gang attack in Dublin's Tallaghat when a 40-year-old Indian man was beaten and stripped by a teenage gang, has raised fresh concerns over a surge in racially motivated violence in Ireland.

"There has been an increase in the instances of physical attacks reported against Indian citizens in Ireland recently. The Embassy is in touch with the authorities concerned in Ireland in this regard," the embassy said in the advisory.

The advisory asked Indian citizens to take reasonable precautions for personal safety, such as avoiding deserted areas, especially at odd hours.

"At the same time, all Indian citizens in Ireland are advised to take reasonable precautions for their personal security and avoid deserted areas, especially in odd hours," it added.

The Embassy of India also issued an emergency contact number for help. Indian citizens can reach out via phone on 08994 23734 or email at cons.dublin@mea.gov.in.

The advisory follows a string of attacks on Indians.

On July 19, the 40-year-old Indian man, an Amazon employee who had arrived in Ireland just three weeks prior, was viciously beaten, stabbed in the face, and partially stripped by a teenage gang in Tallaght, Dublin. Authorities are now investigating the case as a potential hate crime.

Jennifer Murray, the Irish woman who came to the aid of the 40-year-old man, recounted the brutal assault and noted that it wasn't the first racially motivated incident to occur in the area in recent days.

"At least four Indian men and another man have been facially stabbed by this gang of teenagers in the last four days in Tallaght. How many of you knew that or saw it on the news? (sic)" Murray said in a video posted on July 20. She said that the man had to undergo a brain scan and was left "completely scared for life".

In a separate attack, a 32-year-old Indian-origin man, Santosh Yadav, last Sunday suffered a fractured cheekbone and multiple injuries after being assaulted by six teenagers near his Dublin apartment.

He also claimed that racist attacks on Indians are increasing across Dublin. Migrant advocacy groups have backed these concerns, warning that inadequate police training has made it harder for victims to report hate crimes.

Teresa Buczkowska, CEO of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, said it appeared that the Indian community was a particular focus, but those attacks are definitely not limited to that community.

Buczkowska said the Irish police lack training, which has led to issues with reporting hate crimes.

"There are certain outdated mechanisms within An Garda Sochna that are not fit for purpose in this age when people are constantly on the move. "We've been highlighting this issue with the guards for a long time, especially with incidents that happen on public transport," she was quoted as saying by a Dublin-based news outlet, Dublin Live.

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