Lakhvir Singh, a 46-year-old Indian-origin taxi driver who has lived in Ireland for over 23 years, was violently assaulted in Dublin’s Ballymun suburb on Friday night, August 1, marking the third attack on an Indian in the city within two weeks. The incident, described as a hate crime, has intensified concerns over rising anti-immigrant sentiment in Ireland.
Singh, a father of two, picked up two men in their early 20s from Dublin’s northside and drove them to Poppintree. Upon arrival, the passengers opened his car door, struck him twice on the head with a bottle, and fled while shouting, “Go back to your own country.”
Bleeding heavily, Singh sought help by knocking on nearby doors but received no assistance. He called emergency services, and Gardaí, along with paramedics, took him to Beaumont Hospital, where he received 12 stitches for non-life-threatening injuries. His car was left blood-stained, and he remains traumatized, telling Dublin Live, “In 10 years, I’ve never seen anything like this. I’m really scared now, and it will be very hard to go back. My children are really scared.”
Gardaí confirmed they are investigating the assault, which occurred at approximately 11:45 pm on August 1 in Poppintree, Ballymun, Dublin 11. “A man in his 40s was brought to Beaumont Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Investigations are ongoing,” a spokesperson stated.
Also Read: Indian-Origin Scientist Brutally Attacked in Dublin, Sparks Outrage
The attack follows a disturbing pattern, with two other recent assaults on Indian nationals. On July 19, a 40-year-old Indian man was beaten and stripped by a teenage gang in Tallaght, falsely accused of inappropriate behavior, an allegation Gardaí debunked.
On July 27, Santosh Yadav, a 32-year-old data scientist, was brutally attacked by six teenagers in Liffey Valley, suffering a fractured cheekbone. Yadav criticized the Gardaí for inaction, noting, “They’re not taking the case seriously.” Community protests and a Stand Against Racism rally have condemned these attacks, with activists like Teresa Buczkowska of the Immigrant Council of Ireland highlighting inadequate police training and underreporting of hate crimes.
The Indian Embassy in Dublin issued an advisory on August 1, urging citizens to avoid deserted areas and exercise caution, providing emergency contacts (+353 8994 23734, cons.dublin@mea.gov.in). Ambassador Akhilesh Mishra expressed shock over the Tallaght incident, assuring support for victims. Fine Gael Councillor Baby Pereppadan emphasized the contributions of Indian professionals in Ireland, noting, “They provide critical skills in healthcare and IT.”
The attacks, fueled by misinformation and anti-immigrant rhetoric, have raised fears among Dublin’s Indian community. S Aditya Mandal, an AI professional, told Times of India, “No arrests have been made in these cases. Many are reconsidering staying in Ireland.” With Ireland’s 1,070-km border with Northern Ireland and its economic reliance on migrant workers, these incidents underscore the urgent need for stronger measures against hate crimes to ensure safety for all residents.
Also Read: Indian-Origin Scientist Brutally Attacked in Dublin, Sparks Outrage