Latest news with #FederationofIndianCommunitiesinIreland
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Justice minister says trend of attacks by Irish teenagers against Indian community ‘totally unacceptable'
Jim O'Callaghan was speaking after meeting with two of the largest representative bodies of the Indian community in Ireland Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has described as 'totally unacceptable' a recent spate of attacks against Indians in Ireland by Irish teenagers. Mr O'Callaghan met on Thursday with representatives of the Ireland India Council and the Federation of Indian Communities in Ireland to talk about a rise in anti-Indian sentiment on the streets and online.
The Journal
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Justice Minister concerned ‘majority' of attacks on Indian community ‘carried out by young people'
JUSTICE MINISTER JIM O'Callaghan has said that he is concerned that the 'majority' of recent attacks on members of the Indian community 'appear to have been carried out by young people'. O'Callaghan today met with representatives of the Ireland India Council and the Federation of Indian Communities in Ireland, to discuss recent racist attacks on members of the Indian community. In recent weeks, there has been a spate of physical attacks on members of the Indian community in Ireland. In one instance, a man who was attacked by a group of teenagers has decided to return to India as a result of the assault. Advertisement Other recent incidents have included a man being stripped and beaten after a false accusation in Tallaght , a man being assaulted on his way home from a friend's apartment, and an attack on a six-year-old girl in Waterford. This resulted in the Indian embassy in Dublin recently warning citizens 'take reasonable precautions for their personal security and avoid deserted areas, especially in odd hours'. Speaking after the meeting, O'Callaghan remarked that 'any attack against innocent members of the public is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated'. 'Attacks on individuals because of their inherent characteristics including race are abhorrent to the values of our republic and are condemned by any right-thinking people,' said O'Callaghan. He added: 'What I find most concerning about these attacks is that the majority appear to have been carried out by young people.' The Justice Minister said he has been informed that Garda Juvenile Liaison Officers are 'engaging with the respective communities and youth groups on the matter'. Related Reads Indian man to leave Ireland after being attacked by a group in Dublin over the weekend Ambassador to India says attacks on migrants are 'deeply at odds' with Irish values Attack on Indian man in Dublin: 'Words aren't enough, Irish people need to do more' O'Callaghan also said that he has been engaging 'extensively' with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and that Harris has 'taken action to support the Indian community'. 'Importantly, Senior Investigating Officers are assigned to investigate all reported incidents, so I hope to see progress on those investigations soon,' added O'Callaghan. He also noted that Irish law has 'recently been amended by the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences ) Act 2024 to ensure any attack motivated by hate will on conviction result in increased sentencing parameters for the sentencing judge so there are severe consequences for the perpetrators of these attacks'. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Minors behind many attacks on Indian citizens
The Minister for Justice has said that many of the recent attacks on members of the Indian community appear to have been carried out by young people which, he said, poses a particular challenge within the criminal justice system. Jim O'Callaghan was speaking after he met with representatives of the Ireland India Council and the Federation of Indian Communities in Ireland, to discuss the recent attacks. The attacks have prompted the Indian Embassy to issue a warning to its citizens living and working in Ireland. Mr O'Callaghan said that what he found most concerning about the attacks was that the majority appeared to have been carried out by young people. "Regrettably, it appears to be the case that very many of the offenses appear to be perpetrated by persons under the age of 18 and that does pose a particular challenge for us within the criminal justice system, to ensure that individuals who are under 18, who commit criminal offenses are brought before our courts, and that they do, in fact, face a sanction," he said. He said he had been informed that Garda Juvenile Liaison Officers were engaging with the respective communities and youth groups on the matter. The minister added that he had been engaging extensively with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris about the matter and that action had been taken to support the Indian community. Minister O'Callaghan said that Senior Investigating Officers had been assigned to investigate all reported incidents, and that he hoped to see progress on those investigations soon. "Any attack against innocent members of the public such as those suffered by members of the Indian community are totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated," he stated. "Attacks on individuals because of their inherent characteristics including race are abhorrent to the values of our republic and are condemned by any right-thinking people." The Minister pointed out that laws had recently been amended by the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024 to ensure any attack motivated by hate will, on conviction, result in increased sentencing parameters for the sentencing judge, adding that "there are severe consequences for the perpetrators of these attacks". More: President Higgins condemns 'despicable' attacks on Indian community
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
'India Day' celebrations in Ireland postponed amid increased violent attacks on Indians
The annual 'India Day' celebrations in Ireland, scheduled to take place on Sunday, were postponed amid the recent spike in violent attacks on Indians in the country. India Day celebrations mainly feature an array of Indian and Irish songs, classical and Bollywood dance, music, and cultural presentations.(X/@iic_info) Prashant Shukla, co-chairman of the Ireland India Council, said on Monday that it was not a "conducive" time to hold the event, which is coinciding with the Indian Independence Day, August 15. Shukla made the remarks after meeting with Irish deputy prime minister, Tánaiste Simon Harris, to discuss the Indian community's concerns over the violent attacks in recent weeks. 'We discussed a range of issues, particularly safety and security of Indians in Ireland,' Shukla told reporters after the meeting. He added, "We want to make an announcement, as we feel the situation at the moment for holding India Day is not conducive. We will review the situation and announce new dates." Meanwhile, deputy PM Harris also took to X and thanked the "very positive contribution" of the Indian community to Ireland. "Today, I met representatives of Ireland's Indian community. I completely condemn the despicable acts of violence and racism that we have seen against some members of the Indian community in recent weeks," Harris added. The Ireland India Council has been organising India Day every year since 2015 at Dublin's Farmleigh House and Estate at Phoenix Park, in collaboration with the Irish government and community organisations such as the Federation of Indian Communities in Ireland (FICI). Last week, the Garda National Diversity Unit of the Irish police said that it was looking forward to joining the event as an opportunity to 'provide any help and reassurance in light of recent concerns'. India Day celebrations mainly feature an array of Indian and Irish songs, classical and Bollywood dance, music, and cultural presentations, including fashion shows and a craft market. Prashant Shukla told reporters, "The main purpose of India Day is friendship and the celebration of freedom, not only by the Indian community but also the Irish community. It is an unfortunate decision, but (members of the Indian community) stand by it because it is the correct decision." More concerned about 'social media perception' Revealing that hundreds of performers and volunteers had been preparing for the event throughout the year, Shukla said that the tense situation forced them to take this "very, very difficult" decision. "Above all, the safety and security of the members of the Indian community and wider Irish and multinational communities is more important than anything," he added. Further, Shukla noted that more than the safety at the event, the community was concerned about the "perception in the social media created by some extreme right and extreme left propaganda". "They also create a perception that Indians have taken over the streets and the housing problem is because of the Indians. So, we just want to balance these counter-narratives," he said. Meanwhile, Dublin's Archbishop, Dermot Farrell, issued a strongly worded statement this week against the "unprovoked" attacks. 'It is time to call out those who peddle racial hatred. It is time to stand up to those who seek to divide our community through rumour and malice,' said Farrell's statement. It further read, "The truth is that the Indian community in Dublin comprises many people who have come to Dublin to make an important and valued contribution to our society. We are all familiar with the vital presence of Indian professionals in our healthcare system, without whom many healthcare needs simply could not be met. Others apply their skills in other important sectors of the economy and also contribute to funding public services through their taxes." The Irish Embassy last week reacted to the recent violent attacks on Indians in the country and said, "We condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms. They are an assault on the values of equality and human dignity that Ireland holds dear.' The embassy further said that racism and xenophobia have no place in Irish society. It added that the actions of a few do not show the true spirit of the Irish people and will not be accepted. After reports of a brutal attack on a 40-year-old Indian man at Parkhill Road in Dublin's Tallaght suburb last month, several instances of similar targeted attacks on the community across Ireland have emerged. Most recently, an Indian-origin woman alleged that her 60-year-old father was subjected to racial harassment and inappropriate behaviour by a couple of young boys, likely aged around 7 or 8 years old, at a bus stop in Dublin. The woman claimed that the boys first asked for selfies with her father but then, they began mocking him while one of them allegedly tried to grab his wallet from his pocket. On August 1, the Indian Embassy in Dublin issued an advisory to its citizens, asking them to "take reasonable precautions for their personal security and avoid deserted areas, especially in odd hours". The embassy said that it was in touch with the Irish authorities regarding the increased instances of physical attacks reported against Indians.
RTÉ News
6 days ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Breaking India Day festival at Farmleigh postponed over safety fears
The Ireland India Council has announced that it will not go ahead with the India Day festival at Farmleigh in the Phoenix Park this Sunday because of fears over safety, following recent attacks on Indians in Ireland. Speaking outside Government buildings after a meeting with Tánaiste Simon Harris, the chair of the council Prashant Shuki said "we feel that the situation at the moment for holding India day is not conducive, and we will review the situation, and we will announce new dates for India Day this year". He said the council had considered the situation and consulted widely including with gardaí before making what he described as a very difficult decision. He explained that while the advice is that people attending the event in Phoenix Park would have been safe "we are more concerned about actually, the outside of the event in the country." The council has organised India Day events every year since 2015 and this is the first time that there has been any disruption to the scheduling of the event. Another group which also met the Tánaiste this afternoon, the Federation of Indian Communities in Ireland, says an event it has organised on Sunday in Merrion Square in Dublin, will go ahead. It comes after the Minister of State for Migration last weekend called for a stronger policing response, in the wake of a series of attacks on members of the Indian community. There have been several assaults and incidents of racism reported by Indian people in Ireland, prompting the Indian Embassy to issue a warning to its citizens living and working in Ireland. More than 100 people took part in a silent protest by members of the Indian community in Ireland at the Department of Justice last month. Colm Brophy said that the attacks were appalling, adding that he hoped that the incoming Garda Commissioner would prioritise the matter.
