The Indian Embassy in Dublin has issued an advisory to all Indian nationals to avoid deserted places and exercise caution for their personal safety. The advisory comes in the wake of a string of attacks on Indian citizens in Ireland.
“There has been an increase in instances of physical attacks reported against Indian citizens in Ireland recently. The Embassy is in touch with the authorities concerned in Ireland in this regard,” the advisory said.
“At the same time, all Indian citizens in Ireland are advised to take reasonable precautions for their personal security and avoid deserted areas, especially at odd hours,” it said, adding an emergency contact number at the end (0899423734).
On August 1, Lakhvir Singh, an Indian cab driver who has lived in Ireland for 23 years, says he was struck on the head with a bottle by two young men in what he described as an unprovoked assault that left him deeply shaken.
Previously, on July 27, a 32-year-old Indian-origin man, Santosh Yadav, was attacked by six teenagers in his Dublin apartment, leaving him with a fractured cheekbone. Earlier that month, on July 19, a 40-year-old Indian man was beaten and stripped by a group of teenagers, raising concerns over a surge in racially motivated violence in the country. Authorities are now investigating the case as a potential hate crime.
As per data provided by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, there are approximately 80,000 Indian-origin persons in Ireland, of whom 33,898 are PIOs (persons of Indian origin), approximately 40,000 are NRIs (non-resident Indians) and an estimated 10,000 are Indian students. Most of them are engaged in healthcare, IT, engineering and senior management positions.
According to data by the national police and security service of Ireland, An Garda Síochána, there was a 12 per cent increase in the number of hate-related incidents reported in the country between 2022 and 2023. Most of these were linked to the victims’ ethnicity or nationality.
Ireland has become a significant destination for Indian students seeking higher education, particularly post-graduate, doctoral and post-doctoral students in the areas of engineering, technology and medicine.
Stay In Well-Populated Areas: When planning trips or sightseeing, it’s best to stay in busy and well-lit areas, especially during the evenings. Refrain from solo walking in quiet areas, especially during non-peak hours. If you're out late, use reputable and trusted transport services such as taxis and rideshare companies.
Keep Emergency Numbers Handy: Having important emergency contact numbers is essential while travelling. The Indian Embassy in Dublin can be reached on 0899423734. Call the Garda on 999 or 112.
Be Mindful Of Your Surroundings: Always stay in tune with your surroundings and your environment. In public spaces, especially in quieter areas, refrain from looking at your phone or putting on headphones. If things don’t seem right, trust your instinct and take the best course of action.
Stay Updated On Local Advisories: Keep up-to-date with safety notifications and travel warnings by the Indian Embassy in Dublin and local authorities on their social media accounts and websites.
(With inputs from multiple news reports)
