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The Irish Sun
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Disturbing rise in racist attacks must be met with decisive action from Government – Ireland should be safe for everyone
The time for platitudes has passed, the time for action is now SUNDAY ISSUE Disturbing rise in racist attacks must be met with decisive action from Government – Ireland should be safe for everyone MICHAEL D Higgins this week blasted the 'despicable' wave of attacks on members of the Indian community in Ireland. The President hit out following a spate of recent racially-motivated assaults, which have prompted safety fears. 4 Representatives of the Indian community in Ireland have asked for a cross-departmental taskforce to address the attacks Credit: � 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved 4 Michael D Higgins blasted the 'despicable' wave of attacks on members of the Indian community in Ireland Credit: PA:Press Association 4 Labour senator Laura Harmon Credit: Collect On Monday, the Ireland India Council announced it will not go ahead with the India Day festival at Farmleigh in the Phoenix Park today because of safety concerns. Hundreds of performers had been preparing for the event. Co-chairman of the Ireland India Council, Prashant Shukla, admitted making the decision was 'very difficult', but that the safety and security of the community was more important. The issue has been highlighted after an Indian man was the victim of an unprovoked attack while walking to a Hindu temple in Tallaght, Dublin, last month. A silent vigil was held outside the Department of Justice by Friends Of India in response — with the Indian Embassy warning of a rise in attacks. Labour senator Laura Harmon today calls on the Justice Minister to act now. THE disturbing rise in racist attacks on Ireland's Indian community must be met with decisive action from Government. Yet, as each new report of violence emerges, the silence from our Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan, grows more deafening. In recent weeks, the scale and frequency of these incidents have been truly alarming. Every new day seems to bring another report of an assault or attempted assault on someone simply because of the colour of their skin. Last week, we even heard of a child being assaulted for that very reason. We cannot continue to look away. We cannot allow these crimes to become so frequent that they are normalised. Our President, Michael D. Higgins, was right to speak out. He condemned these attacks as being in 'stark contradiction to the values that we as people hold dear'. Those words should be a rallying cry for action. They reflect the Ireland we strive for: a country that treats all who live here with dignity and respect, no matter their heritage. It is telling that the strongest moral leadership in this moment is coming from Aras an Uachtarain — not from the Department of Justice. In my own community, I have been contacted by people originally from India who are deeply worried about their safety. These are neighbours, colleagues and friends who contribute enormously to the life of our towns and cities. Out of shared concern, we worked together to create a local group to offer mutual support, share information, and stand united in the face of intimidation and violence. That such a step is necessary in Ireland in 2025 should be cause for national reflection — and national action. OUR GOVERNMENT IS FAILING It is deeply shameful that the Indian Embassy has felt the need to issue a public warning advising Indian citizens and Irish-Indians in Ireland to take extra precautions for their safety. That such advice is even necessary in a country that proudly greets visitors with 'Céad Míle Fáilte' should unsettle us all to our core. If this is the image we are projecting to the world, then our Government is failing in its most basic duty — to keep all who live here safe. Jim O'Callaghan must now break his silence. He must strongly condemn these attacks, and more importantly, set out in detail what concrete measures he will take to address them. That means ensuring Gardai have the resources and training needed to respond quickly and effectively to racist crime, improving community outreach, and guaranteeing that victims have clear, accessible routes to justice. TIME FOR ACTION We need public awareness campaigns to counter the toxic narratives fuelling these attacks. And we need visible, high-profile political leadership that sends the message that racism will not be tolerated anywhere — from anyone. Earlier this month I held a roundtable discussion in Cork about the rise of racism on the ground. I was struck by the contributions from the Indian, Pakistani, Sikh, Romanian, Mexican, African, and Nepalese communities. I'm grateful for their engagement and will continue to advocate for them, together with my Labour colleagues. We cannot afford to wait for another headline-grabbing attack before the minister acts. The stakes are too high. This is not just about protecting one community — it is about protecting the very values we claim as a nation. If we fail to confront this wave of hate now, we risk allowing prejudice and violence to fester, spread, and undermine the fabric of our society. Ireland must be a place where everyone — no matter their skin colour or country of birth — can walk our streets without fear. The time for platitudes has passed. The time for action is now.
The Journal
28-07-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
President Higgins urges EU presidents to speak up on Gaza, calling silence a 'moral failing'
PRESIDENT MICHAEL D Higgins has asked other European presidents to call for action to end the suffering in Gaza, saying silence on the issue would be a 'moral failing'. President Higgins urged his fellow presidents to call for an end to the loss of life of civilians, the unconditional release of all hostages, and the provision of full unimpeded access to aid for those suffering. The President made the plea in a letter to the Arraiolos group, an informal group of European Presidents, which considers responses to societal challenges and promotes multilateralism. He said: 'The Arraiolos Group has a strong voice and leadership role to offer in relation to what is happening in Gaza. Silence, failure to take an initiative will be rightly construed as a moral failure.' The Israeli military today began a second day of its daily 'tactical pause' in three areas of Gaza, in what it claims is an effort to ease the worsening humanitarian crisis. President Higgins condemned the 'unacceptable violence' and avoidable loss of civilian life in Gaza. He said said the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas was 'rightly condemned' by all member states and asked fellow presidents not to remain silent now. He said: 'We were not silent and called for the unconditional release of all hostages. While Israel has a right to defend itself, we cannot let that horrific event provide a licence or cover for the totally unacceptable loss of life, including from malnutrition and dehydration by infants and mothers that is now being perpetrated in Gaza.' Advertisement The President highlighted the food insecurity Gaza is currently facing, with over 80% of cropland and 83% of agricultural wells having been destroyed. He condemned the deaths of civilians, adding that over 1,000 Palestinians, mainly children, have been killed while seeking to collect aid. He said 80 children have died of malnutrition and 20,000 mothers in Gaza are being subjected to conditions of dehydration and malnutrition. He added that least 1,580 medical personnel have lost their lives, with a further 180 in Israeli detention centres. The President quoted Pope Leo XIV's condemnation of this assault on civilian life and his call on the international community to respond with the urgency these issues demand. He endorsed the three urgent steps called for by the Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres: an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and full, unimpeded humanitarian access. He commended the Foreign Ministers who have recently come together to call for an end to the violence and loss of life. President Higgins has sent the letter to each of the members of the Arraiolos Group. The group is made up of the presidents of Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Slovenia. 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
The Irish Sun
27-06-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
‘The journey is not complete' – President Michael D Higgins wishers revellers happy Pride 2025 & marks key milestone
MICHAEL D Higgins has wished revellers a happy Pride 2025 — his last LGBT+ event as president. The Dublin Pride Parade and March 2025 will assemble on O'Connell Street today — celebrating a decade since the 2 President Michael D. Higgins sent well wishes for all celebrating Pride today Credit: Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images President 'This annual celebration is a vital affirmation of the rights, the dignity and the joy of our " It is a time, too, to remember with gratitude the courage of those who paved the way for progress when marching was not safe, who gave voice to truths that were long silenced, and who set the foundations for the inclusive Ireland that we continue to strive towards today. 'In recent years, great strides have been made in advancing the rights and recognition of LGBT+ people in Ireland. READ MORE IN NEWS "In celebrating Pride this year, we are also marking the 10th anniversary of the Marriage Equality referendum. 'A moment that spoke of the kind of Ireland we aspire to be — inclusive, generous and unafraid to affirm the equal worth of all of our citizens." The President said that we must also acknowledge that "the journey is not complete". He continued: "A truly inclusive society is one where all can live authentically and creatively, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, where all can participate fully, and where all voices are not only heard but valued, in all their richness and diversity. most read in the irish sun "Pride remains a vital expression of that vision in challenging us to deepen our commitment to human rights, to solidarity, and to the kind of republic that cherishes all of its people equally. "In a time when hard-won rights are being questioned in many parts of the world, such vigilance and unity are more vital than ever. Mr Higgins reflected on his terms as President of Ireland. He added: 'I have been continually inspired by the creativity, resilience and generosity of spirit shown by Ireland's LGBT+ community. 'In so many aspects of Irish life, your rich and varied contributions have helped to enrich our society immeasurably — widening the circle of belonging for us all. "May I wish all those marking "May this Pride be a time of joy, of solidarity, and of renewed hope as we work to craft a future together that is peaceful, just and inclusive – a future defined by equality and participation of all citizens across the world in all their wonderful diversity." 2 President Higgins said the event is a vital affirmation of the rights of our LGBT+ communities Credit: Alamy
