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‘Despicable’: Irish president and cricketer condemn attacks on Indians
President Michael D Higgins noted that values of safety, dignity, and mutual respect must apply to all without exception.
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Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Wed, 13, Aug 2025
- 00:09 EDT
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President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins and Former Irish cricketer, Kevin O'Brien / Wikimedia commons and X/@Kevin O'Brien
The President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, issued a statement on Aug.12, condemning the repeated racist violence against Indian immigrants in Ireland.
Ireland has seen a sudden spike in violent racist attacks on Indians with five case of alleged race-based violence being reported in less than three weeks. In the most recent instance, a six-year-old Indian-origin girl alleged being repeatedly punched and being hit with a bicycle on her private parts by a group of 14–15-year-old boys and asked to “go back to India”. On the same day, another Indian origin sous-chef was also attacked.
The Irish President, Higgins, described these attacks as "despicable" and reiterated that the attacks "stand in stark contradiction to the values that we as a people (people of Ireland) hold dear”.
He added, "That any person in Ireland, particularly any young person, should be drawn into such behaviour through manipulation or provocation is to be unequivocally condemned. Whether such provocation stems from ignorance or from malice, it is essential to acknowledge the harm that it is causing."
Highlighting his recent meeting with India's external affairs minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, President Higgins pointed out the shared history of the two countries and the vibrant ties shared today.
He also hailed the contributions made by Indians in Ireland. He said, "We are all mindful of the immense contribution this community has made, and continues to make, to so many aspects of Irish life, in medicine, nursing, the caring professions, in cultural life, in business and enterprise, to cite just some. Their presence, their work, their culture, have been a source of enrichment and generosity to our shared life."
Pointing to Ireland's history of migration, the President noted, "Ireland has long been shaped by migration, both outward and inward. Those who left our shores carried our culture and values into faraway lands, often depending on the generosity of strangers."
He added, "That shared human experience should remain at the heart of how we treat those who have come to make their lives here. To forget that is to lose a part of ourselves."
Statement by President Michael D. Higgins on recent attacks on members of the Indian Community in Ireland https://t.co/0o2xO7D7UZ
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) August 12, 2025
The Irish President's statement comes a day after Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister, Simon Harris met members of the Indian community and addressed the issue.
"I completely condemn the despicable acts of violence and racism that we have seen against some members of the (Indian) community in recent weeks. I want to thank the Indian community for their very positive contribution to (Ireland)," said Harris on X.
ALSO READ: Irish Deputy PM meets Indian community, addresses rising racist attacks
Former Irish cricketer, Kevin O'Brien, also took exception to the violence and said, "I want to say how deeply saddened I am by the recent racist and hateful acts against Indians in Ireland. These attacks do not represent who we are as a people."
Addressing the Indian community, he added, "Please remember that the bond between our countries will remain unshaken by the actions of a small few.
Please listen!! ️ @KellyinDelhi @IrlEmbIndia pic.twitter.com/QnTEY5ZIVn
— Kevin O'Brien (@KevinOBrien113) August 12, 2025
The spate of violence had previously prompted the Indian Embassy in Ireland to issue an advisory to the Indians community in Ireland. The Aug.1 advisory warned Indians in Ireland to “take reasonable precautions for their personal security and avoid deserted areas, especially in odd hours.
ALSO READ: India issues advisory after attacks on citizens in Ireland
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