Father of two from Bangladesh required stitches following alleged 'hate' attack

Olivia Kelleher

A father of two from Bangladesh who required stitches following an alleged racist attack at a park in Co Cork has expressed concern about the "hate" incident, which was his first experience of this kind in two decades of living in Ireland.

Syed Haque, who works in a Cork logistics company, was struck by a teenage boy in Carrigaline Park last Monday evening whilst out for a walk with friends and family.

Haque has health issues and has been told by his doctor to go for a walk every day.

In an interview with the Neil Prendeville Show on Cork’s Red FM, he said that he was on the bridge at the park in Carrigaline when a “young fella” approached and pushed one of his friends.

“So I said ‘don’t do something like that because we can talk and solve it.’ Next, he just punched me for the first time. That punch not so strongly hit my jaw. I was surprised he punched me.

"Then that boy pushed my same friend and again I talk to the other friend and say ‘what is your problem? I am not here to fight or make any trouble with you'."

Haque said that the group consisted of young girls and boys. The youth punched him a second time.

“I started bleeding and fell down. He said ‘Go back to your home. It is not your country.' He punched me first on the left hand side and then the right.

"My son ran to me because my face was full of blood. When the garda came they had gone. They had vanished from that place. The garda take my details."

Fortunately, a paramedic was passing by and went to his assistance. A dressing was applied to the right eye.

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.

He said that his teenage son and daughter are really upset about what happened. He is also feeling anxious since the attack on his person.

"I am really scared at this moment. I am worried about them (his children). I am worried day and night.”

Meanwhile, gardaí confirmed that they responded to reports of an alleged assault which occurred in Carrigaline Park at 7pm on July 4th.

A teenage boy was arrested in connection with the incident.

He has since been released without charge pending a referral to the Garda National Youth Diversion Bureau.