Attacks on Indian community motivated in part by racism – commissioner

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said that attacks on members of the Indian community in Ireland are motivated by racism, crime and “picking on the vulnerable”.

He said that juveniles were involved in such attacks was “particularly concerning” and said they are being monitored by senior gardai.

The Ireland India Council said there has been an organised social media campaign against the Indian community in the country and the number of violent attacks has intensified since January.

Last week, it announced it would postpone an India Day event at Farmleigh House over safety concerns.

Speaking about the attacks, Mr Harris said he met with the Indian ambassador to Ireland Akhilesh Mishra two weeks ago.

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said that he was concerned with attacks on the Indian community, as well as an assault that has left a tourist in a critical condition, but said that Dublin is getting safer.

He said the number of gardai on the streets of Dublin had increased.

“All citizens and all the individuals residing here do know that An Garda Siochana is there to protect them,” Mr Harris said.

“We’ve been engaged in a considerable outreach programme now with the Indian community as well, so that when incidents happen they are reported promptly, and then we’re able to mount investigations.

“Yesterday, we received a series of reports on progress that was being made on the state of the inquiries and you can rest assured these matters are being supervised at the highest levels within An Garda Siochana.”

He added: “In part, there is racism in this and in part it is an element of crime as well, and picking on the vulnerable too.

“So, there is a combination, I think, of racism and then seeing individuals who people regard as being vulnerable, and that is motivating these attacks as well.”

He said the fact that juveniles were involved in such attacks was “particularly concerning”.

“Obviously, we have spent a lot of resources in terms of juvenile liaison officers and so, through that network then, we’re reaching out and trying to bring behaviours, obviously, back to proper state, but also then trying to detect those who have been involved.”

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has said that he is concerned with attacks on the Indian community but said that Dublin is getting safer.

He said he was also concerned about the attack on a tourist in Temple Bar this week.

“I met with the Indian community and I expressed to them my concern about some recent attacks upon them,” Mr O’Callaghan said.

“I think it’s important to point out, however, that when you look at the latest crime statistics, that assaults on the person are down in terms of the first six months of this year from the first six months of last year.

“It’s also the case that there are more gardai on the streets in Dublin.

“I was looking at the RTE News last night, and Stephen Kennedy from Copper + Straw (coffee chain) was on, somebody who I’d worked with very intensively before I became Minister for Justice, he’s got a business on Aston Quay.

“He notices that increased number of gardai on the streets, as many do, and he wants to see it maintained.

“Listen, a large capital city is always going to have incidents of criminal behaviour. But my own view is Dublin is getting safer.

“I’m happy to walk around Dublin any time of the day or night, and I would like the message to go out to people that Dublin is a safe place to come into.”