Indian representatives in Ireland want taskforce to address ‘spate of attacks’

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

Representatives of the Indian community in Ireland are to ask for a cross-departmental taskforce to address the “recent spate of violent attacks”.

The Ireland India Council is to meet with Tánaiste Simon Harris on Monday afternoon and ask that such incidents are treated and recorded as hate crimes.

The issue has been highlighted after an Indian man was the victim of an unprovoked attack in Tallaght, Dublin, last month.

A silent vigil was held outside the Department of Justice by Friends of India in response.

The Indian embassy in Dublin has also issued a warning that there has been “an increase in the instances of physical attacks reported against Indian citizens in Ireland recently”.

They said Indian citizens in Ireland should take “reasonable” precautions and avoid deserted areas.

Mr Harris has said he was “deeply concerned” about the incidents and that he was particularly affected by a reported attack on a six-year-old girl in Waterford.

He said one of the most concerning things was the “very young age of those that have been involved in some of this racist activity”.

The Ireland India Council said they wanted assaults on members of the Indian community to be recognised as hate crimes, to ensure the offences are “appropriately recorded and addressed”.

They will also call for a cross-departmental task force on hate crime and youth violence to deliver a coordinated response.

They also want “legislative reform to hold parents accountable for repeat violent behaviour by minors in their care”.

They have also called for enhanced policing, swift prosecution of offenders, and an outreach programme to communities affected.

On Sunday, Minister of State with responsibility for migration Colm Brophy said he wanted the incoming Garda commissioner, Justin Kelly, to prioritise addressing these incidents.

“We actually have seen a drop in serious crime, but in this particular area, we have seen a rise in the type of attacks,” he told RTÉ Radio.

“I think there needs to be a stronger policing response in this area because there’s two aspects to these attacks which I think are very very unacceptable.

“The first is obviously the attack itself, and the second then is the recording and videoing of it and the disseminating of it on social media, and there’s a role that has to be dealt with there as well.”

The Indian embassy has been contacted for comment.