‘I'm afraid for my children' – Hundreds attend anti-racism protest outside the Dáil following brutal attack in Tallaght
Organised by members of Ireland's migrant community, the protest called attention to a growing sense of fear and vulnerability among immigrants, and demanded urgent action from the government.
The victim, an Indian man in his 40s, had arrived in Ireland weeks before the incident, and was attacked at Parkhill Lawns in the Kilnamanagh area around 6pm on Saturday, July 19. Gardaí have confirmed they are currently investigating the assault.
A vigil was also held in Tallaght last night, drawing significant support from the Indian community.
Ajay Shaji, attending the protest as a member of Migrant Nurses Ireland, described the incident as "shocking" and deeply traumatic for the wider migrant community.
'The migrant community was under stress and really shocked at the news,' he said.
'I don't know how traumatic it must be for him. He was here for [just weeks] and had to go through something like that. There are no words to explain it.'
Kavi Raj, an Indian national living in Tallaght, called the incident 'horrifying' and explained that attacks like this need to be addressed at government level.
'We live in Tallaght - we are afraid to walk outside,' he said.
"Immigrants and Irish people can live side by side, hand in hand,' Kavi said.
Shinith Ak, who has lived in Kilkenny since 2009, said the attack left him 'ashamed.'
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'One of my family members was attacked, and when I told my hometown back in India, they said, 'Come back – you're not safe there.''
Rofayda Mohamed, a mother who also attended the protest, expressed her growing fear for her children.
'The hate is rising. I was horrified, shocked, actually - that this can happen on our streets' she said.
'I'm afraid for my children, to go out, to play. This is not acceptable.'
Speaking at the protest, Dublin West TD Ruth Coppinger called the attack 'repulsive'.
'These attacks are not isolated. They're under-reported and under-investigated,' she said.
'We keep hearing stories from the migrant community, from people of colour in Ireland, about attacks like this.'
Ms Coppinger stressed the need for community-based, anti-racist networks and policies that address the root causes of social tension – including the housing crisis.
Gardaí have appealed to the public not to share or repost social media footage related to the attack, as their investigation continues.
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