Victim of brutal racist attack in Carrigaline says it's happening 'in every town in Ireland'

A father-of-two who was recently the victim of a racial attack in Carrigaline has said he is worried for his children.

Syed Haque required 12 stitches after he was repeatedly punched by a teenager while out walking with family and friends and told to “go back to your own country”.

He told The Echo that he had not experienced anything like before this in his 24 years in Cork, and that in the wake of the attack he had concerns for his family. “I am not worried about myself, but I do worry about my children.

“My son was with me at the time and was traumatised to see his dad with so much blood flowing on his face.

“I worry about what they’ll say when they go back to school and the teacher asks them what they did during the holidays.”

A community event to promote inclusion and solidarity took place in Carrigaline this week, following the racist attack.

Liz Scott, who lives in Carrigaline, organised the community gathering in Carrigaline Park to show that the town was a welcoming place and stand in solidarity with Mr Haque against racism.

Mr Haque told The Echo after the event that his leg was still very painful, and could not bend all the way, and that he had since had his titches removed but still experienced some pain in his eye, and had been warned by his doctor to come back if he experienced black spots in his vision in the next three months.

After the attack, gardaí confirmed that a teenage boy was arrested and later released without charge, pending a referral to the Garda National Youth Diversion Bureau.

Mr Haque called on the government to take action on offending by people under the age of 18, saying: “Right now, it is like if you are underage you can do whatever you want, and it is happening, not just in my incident, but in every town in Ireland.

“The lawmakers need to put some barrier in place, maybe look at the family – I know where my kids are going and what they are doing.” 

He said that the Carrigaline community gathering was “a really good event, and a lot of people told me how brave I was because I spoke up.

“The people in Carrigaline do not want this behaviour, it is not that kind of place – they don’t want it to happen to anyone again.

“I am really grateful to everyone who came and gave me support, it is a very big thing to me that they want to stand for me.” Fianna Fáil TD Seamus McGrath spoke at the event, and told The Echo afterwards: “It was a very positive event.

“I was honoured to speak at the gathering and stress the importance of decency and compassion in all our communities and to push back against any hint of racism, prejudice or intolerance through actions, words and in the online world.

“There was a great community spirit at the gathering and a strong show of solidarity and humanity.” Fine Gael councillor Una McCarthy said: “It was a pleasure to stand with members of our community in Carrigaline in support of diversity, inclusion and respect.

“Our town is at its best when everyone who calls Carrigaline home feels welcome, valued and part of the community. It was heartening to see people come together with a clear and positive message: there is a place for everyone in our town.

“Thank you to Liz Scott Hall and all who organised and attended, and to everyone who continues to work towards a welcoming, inclusive and respectful Carrigaline.”