Carrigaline community to unite against racism at Monday evening event

A community event in Carrigaline is to be held on Monday to remind residents that everyone is welcome in the town, which is still reeling after a racist attack last month.

Syed Haque, who works in a Cork logistics company, was out for a walk with friends and family when he was repeatedly punched by a teenager, and told to go back to his own country.

Mr Haque was transferred by ambulance to Cork University Hospital for treatment for a deep gash above his right eye. He required 12 stitches and has suffered from pain in his right eye since.

The father-of-two from Bangladesh said this was his first experience of this kind in two decades of living in Ireland.

Gardaí confirmed that they responded to reports of an alleged assault which occurred in Carrigaline Park at 7pm on July 4, and a teenage boy was arrested in connection with the incident. He was then released without charge pending a referral to the Garda National Youth Diversion Bureau.

Liz Scott, who lives in Carrigaline, said: “With some people feeling anxious after the recent racist attack on Syed Haque in the park, we want to make an event that reassures and uplifts.” 

Liz and a friend are organising a gathering in Carrigaline park Monday August 10 at 7pm, and encouraging people from Carrigaline to come along.

“Our hope is to create a positive space that reminds people Carrigaline is a community where everyone belongs — a place shaped by kindness, and diversity.” 

Ms Scott told The Echo that she has heard from people living in the area that they are “very scared” since hearing about the attack on Mr Haque, and that “it will take time to go back to normal”.

She is one of the organisers for the upcoming Culture Night celebrations, and said that one act which she had asked to perform at the event have cancelled their peformances because of racial attacks across the country.

“The majority of the community is very kind. I moved to Carrigaline because it is a vibrant, welcoming, beautiful place to live, and it still is.

“I live on a multicultural street and we all get on. We value one another and we look out for each other," she added.

Fianna Fáil TD Seamus McGrath, his party colleague councillor Patrick Donovan and Fine Gael councillor Una McCarthy will be speaking, while councillor Audrey Buckley, who is away on holiday, has sent a letter to be read out and councillor Jack White’s brother Robert will be speaking on his behalf.