Dublin: A 60-year-old Indian man and his family were subjected to racial harassment at a bus stop in Dublin, in yet another disturbing incident amid a reported surge in attacks on Indian citizens across Ireland.
The victim’s daughter recounted the ordeal in a Reddit post, describing how two young boys, believed to be around seven or eight years old, mocked and attempted to approach her father inappropriately.
Family Left ‘Defenceless’ During Public Harassment
According to the woman, she was waiting at the bus stop with her father and sister when the boys initially requested selfies with him. Moments later, their behaviour escalated, from mocking him to one allegedly trying to reach for his wallet. The situation turned more disturbing when one boy blocked the elderly man’s path and made grabbing gestures toward his crotch.
“We tried to stay calm and ignored their behaviour,” she wrote, adding, “My father, aged 60, was harassed by a child right in front of his daughters, leaving us feeling defenceless.” She expressed frustration at the lack of immediate legal recourse, especially “knowing the current climate for people of colour in Ireland.”
The family has called on authorities to act decisively, insisting that “no one should have to feel unsafe or powerless in public spaces, regardless of their background.”
Authorities Respond as Community Voices Concern
This incident comes just days after an Indian-origin taxi driver and a six-year-old girl were reportedly attacked. In response, the diversity unit of Ireland’s police force confirmed it is engaging with the Indian community to address the spate of violence in Dublin and other regions.
The Irish Embassy in New Delhi strongly condemned the incidents, calling them “an assault on the values of equality and human dignity that Ireland holds dear.” It also announced that the Irish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs will meet representatives of the Indian community on 11 August to discuss safety concerns.
