Racist attacks won’t be tolerated, says O’Callaghan

Minister For Justice Jim O’Callaghan has criticised the rise in racist attacks on Indian nationals.

Speaking on Thursday, the Minister said, “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.”

“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.”

In July, the nation was shocked by a racist attack in Tallaght where youths assaulted an Indian immigrant.

The man, who wishes to keep his identity private, said he was assaulted by local youths, beaten and was partially stripped.

Far-right accounts on Twitter and Facebook claimed that he was “acting inappropriately” around the youths prior to the attack, a claim which has been disproven by Gardaí.

Following the attack in July, a six-year-old Indian girl was assaulted in Waterford, while on August 10, an Indian man was assaulted in Fairview Park in Dublin’s Northside.

In light of the attacks, a planned India Day celebration in Dublin’s Phoenix Park has been cancelled.

Minister O’Callaghan said, “what I find most concerning about these attacks is that the majority appear to have been carried out by young people.”

“I have been informed that Garda Juvenile Liaison Officers are engaging with the respective communities and youth groups on the matter. I have been engaging extensively with the Garda Commissioner about this, and he 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,” the Dublin Bay South TD said.

The Fianna Fáil Minister stated, “our laws have 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.”

In the wake of the attacks on the Indian community, a cross-party statement was issued by councillors from Sinn Féin, Fine Gael, Independents, Social Democrats, Fianna Fáil, Green Party, Labour Party and People Before Profit.

The statement reads “Dublin is a great city. It is a city of proud, welcoming communities, with a wonderful history. It has much to offer those who live, visit, work, and study here.”

“Dublin City Council condemns the rise of racism and racist attacks in Dublin in the strongest possible terms. Racism has no place in this great city of ours. It offers nothing but division, fear and conflict.”

Local Sinn Féin councillor Daithí Doolan said, “while many of the reported attacks were on Indian people, people of colour, immigrants and asylum seekers have been experiencing a serious increase in physical and verbal abuse in Dublin.”

“The long-term solution is for this government to resource and support a robust national anti-racist strategy to combat the causes and consequences of racism. We are committed to working together and with others to stand up to racism wherever and whenever it raises its ugly head.”

“Sinn Féin want to send out a clear strong message; we are united in condemning racism in all its forms. We are working to make Dublin a safe, welcoming city for everyone, regardless of who you are, where you are, what you look like or who you are with.”

Labour MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said in response to the India Day celebrations being cancelled, “congratulations to every flag-wielding bigot and those in politics who pander to them. Take a bow. This is the Ireland you want.”

Can all those who, in the post-referendum glow last year, came out against Hate Speech legislation now tell us how right they were? Sinn Féin, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, etc? – gutless cowards.”

“Those who want a different Republic need to reclaim it,” he said.

Doras, a leading migrant and refugee support organisation, is calling for urgent government action in response to a growing number of racist attacks and hate crimes across Ireland. 

“Our thoughts are with those in the Indian community who have suffered violent attacks recently,” said John Lannon, CEO of Doras. 

“Unfortunately, people from the Indian community are not the only ones being harassed and assaulted on our streets. We are seeing a significant rise in the number of racist incidents and hate crimes reported to our victim support service. 

Lannon noted, “sadly, we are also hearing from people who are now more fearful of going out on the streets. This fear is new and deeply disturbing in Ireland.” 

Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have reduced moderation staff in recent years as part of a cost-saving measure and an attempt to kowtow to American President Donald Trump and his free speech advocacy. 

The lapse in moderation has seen a notable rise in anti-immigrant sentiment on social media, a trend which has been criticised by Lannon.

“While policing remains a critical component of the fight against the spread of hate, social media companies have much to answer for in relation to the spread of hate on their platforms,” said Lannon.

“Their recommender system pushes toxic content into people’s feeds and needs to be switched off.” 

Social Democrats TD and justice spokesperson Gary Gannon said that social media regulation was “long overdue” and is more pertinent now in the wake of anti-immigrant violence in Dublin and across Ireland.

“Little is being done to stop the spread of mis- and disinformation online, which in turn is manipulating members of the public to believe in a hateful agenda – stronger regulation of social media is long overdue,” he said.

“Reports suggest that many of these crimes are committed by children and adolescents – legislating against our youth being radicalised online must be a priority once the Dáil resumes.”

Sinn Féin TD Seán Crowe criticised those who take part in the attacks, saying “my message to the young men who carried out this vicious attack is this; you’re not a patriot.”

“You’re certainly not standing up for women and children. You are sowing hate, fear, and division in communities that have suffered more than enough from a lack of resources from the government, and not some innocent resident trying to make a life here.”

President Michael D Higgins criticised the attacks in a statement this week.

The outgoing President said, “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. Such acts diminish all of us and obscure the immeasurable benefits the people of India have brought to the life of this country.”