RACIALLY motivated attacks on the Indian community in Ireland are “escalating alarmingly”, the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Michael Jackson, has warned. He called on church communities to stand against racism.
Over the past few weeks, violent attacks have been reported, including an assault on a six-year-old girl, and an unprovoked assault on a teenage boy on a bus — a video of which went viral on social media.
Supporters of the Indian community held a silent vigil outside the Department of Justice, in Dublin, last week to draw attention to the violence.
Some of the perpetrators have reportedly told their victims to return to India. Many of those who have been assaulted have lived in Ireland for decades and have citizenship. Police have yet to bring charges.
The Indian Embassy in Dublin has warned Indian citizens of a rise in physical attacks, and urged the community to take “reasonable precautions”, including avoiding deserted areas, especially at night. The Embassy is due to hold a meeting with the Irish authorities to discuss responses to the attacks.
Dr Jackson said that the Indian community and its friends in Ireland were now fearful. “A number of our churches in Dublin are used by a range of Indian Christian traditions for their worship, and numerous other parishes are privileged to count members of the Indian community in Ireland amongst their parishioners.”
In a statement, he said: “It is essential that these people, irrespective of age or nationality, be safe, and feel safe, as together we build a community of hope, opportunity, and equality.
“I urge all people of Dublin and Glendalough to continue to stand firmly against racism and to stand firmly with people who are impacted by racism. I know many parishes and people do this instinctively. It is also a continuing feature of the work of Dublin City Interfaith Forum.
“I echo the appeal of the chairman of the Ireland India Council, Mr Prashant Shukla, who has called for a co-ordinated, multi-agency response to these attacks, and a cross-departmental response to hate crime and youth violence.”
The Deputy Prime Minister of Ireland, Simon Harris, was due to meet members of the Indian community on Monday in Dublin. He said: “This is a country that recognises the incredible value that the Indian community have made. It’s a country that abhors racism, and we must continue to call it out.
“I think one of the most concerning things we’ve seen is the very young age of those that have been involved in some of this racist activity.”
The Indian community in Ireland numbers about 80,000.
