Dublin (TIP)- An Indian man in Dublin was reportedly attacked by a group of teenagers over the weekend, in what he says was an unprovoked assault. “One of the youths rode up on an electric scooter and suddenly kicked me in the stomach,” the man told Irish news outlet, The Journal. “Many of my friends are even scared to go outside,” he added.
The incident marks the fourth racist attack in Dublin within a month and comes after President Michael D Higgins on Tuesday condemned the violence as “despicable” while expressing a “deep sense of gratitude” for the Indian community.
The victim, speaking on condition of anonymity to The Journal, said around 5:30 pm on Sunday, he was walking home from Fairview Park when the teenager took his metal water bottle and struck him above the eye, causing a deep cut and heavy bleeding that required eight stitches.
As he tried to walk away, two more joined in, punching and hitting him until he fell, where they continued the attack. He now plans to return to India following the assault.
Although bystanders did not intervene, two teenagers later called the police. The man was taken to hospital. Police are investigating and have appealed for witnesses.
His parents, worried after the assault, urged him to return to India. He has since requested an extension from his university to complete his thesis remotely from home.
The victim as per The Journal also said he felt “let down” by the Indian Embassy. According to him, his brother contacted the Embassy the day after the attack. He was then asked via phone to send an email outlining the incident — but has received no follow-up since.
The assault is among a spate of violent incidents targeting Indian nationals in recent weeks, including attacks in Tallaght, Waterford, and Dublin.
Other recent attacks include a man being stripped and beaten after a false accusation in Tallaght, another man assaulted on his way home from a friend’s apartment, and a six-year-old girl attacked in Waterford.
The Indian Embassy in Dublin has advised citizens to “take reasonable precautions for their personal security and avoid deserted areas, especially in odd hours.”