A six-year-old girl of Indian descent was viciously assaulted by a group of children in Waterford, Ireland, on Monday evening, August 4, in what is believed to be the first reported racist attack on an Indian child in the country. The assailants, including boys aged 12-14 and an eight-year-old girl, allegedly punched the victim, Nia Naveen, in the face, twisted her hair, and struck her private parts with a bicycle wheel while hurling racial slurs like “Dirty Indian” and “Go back to India.” The incident has left the Indian community in Ireland reeling and prompted widespread condemnation.

The girl’s mother, Anupa Achuthan, a nurse from Kottayam, Kerala, who has lived in Ireland for eight years and recently gained citizenship, was supervising Nia playing outside their Kilbarry home. She briefly stepped inside to feed her 10-month-old son, assuring Nia she’d return quickly. Within minutes, Nia returned home traumatized, unable to speak. “She was crying, so scared,” Anupa told The Irish Mirror. A friend of Nia’s reported that five boys punched her face and neck, with one using a bicycle to inflict injury.

The family, who moved to Waterford in January, now feels unsafe. “We no longer feel secure, even outside our home,” Anupa said. “I thought she was safe here.” Despite reporting the incident to the Gardaí, who confirmed an ongoing investigation in Kilbarry, Anupa seeks counseling for the attackers rather than punishment, emphasizing prevention. “I don’t want this to happen to anyone else,” she said.

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This assault follows a surge in racist attacks against Indians in Ireland. On July 19, a 40-year-old Indian man was beaten and stripped in Tallaght, Dublin, by a teenage gang falsely accusing him of misconduct. On July 27, data scientist Santosh Yadav suffered a fractured cheekbone in a similar assault, and on August 1, cab driver Lakhvir Singh was attacked in Ballymun. The Indian Embassy in Dublin issued a safety advisory on August 1, urging citizens to avoid deserted areas and providing emergency contacts (phone: 0899423734, email: cons.dublin@mea.gov.in).

Migrant advocates, including Teresa Buczkowska of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, highlight inadequate police training and rising anti-migrant sentiment fueled by misinformation. Protests erupted after the Tallaght attack, with the Indian community demanding justice. The Gardaí have increased patrols in Kilbarry, but no arrests have been made.

As Ireland grapples with this wave of violence, Anupa’s plea for guidance over punishment underscores the need for systemic change to address racism and protect vulnerable communities.

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