New Delhi: The Irish deputy prime minister and minister for foreign affairs will meet members of the Indian diaspora in Ireland this weekend, following a spate of violent attacks against Indians in the country, the embassy of Ireland in New Delhi said on Friday (August 8).

In a statement, the embassy said it was “deeply shocked and saddened” by the incidents, which it condemned “in the strongest possible terms” as “an assault on the values of equality and human dignity that Ireland holds dear”.

“Racism and xenophobia have no place in Irish society. The actions of the few do not reflect the spirit of the Irish people. It will not be tolerated,” it said.

According to the statement, the August 11 meeting in Ireland will bring together Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris, who also serves as foreign minister, and representatives of the Indian community to discuss concerns and the ongoing probe.

The most recent hate incident involved a taxi driver who had lived in Ireland for 23 years and was attacked by two passengers who shouted, “go back to your country”.

In July itself, an Indian IT worker who had recently moved to Ireland was stripped, beaten and stabbed by attackers who falsely accused him of inappropriate behaviour.

In another case, an Indian national named Santosh Yadav was reportedly attacked in Clondalkin, Dublin in late July.

In mid-May, an Indian nurse contacted police after two teenage boys threw a glass bottle at her leg. As per a news report, the police visited her home in July to take a formal complaint.

The Irish Times quoted Prashant Shukla, chairman of the Ireland India Council, as saying he receives at least two calls or emails daily about racial attacks on members of the Indian community in the Greater Dublin Area.

An editorial in the paper noted a “disturbing uptick” in such violence, with “rising verbal abuse and assaults on Irish streets” leaving members of the community feeling unsafe. Many incidents, it said, go unreported to the police but are shared on local WhatsApp groups.

Last week, the Indian embassy in Ireland advised citizens to take “reasonable precautions for their personal security and avoid deserted areas, especially in odd hours,” citing “an increase in the instances of physical attacks” against Indians. It said it was in touch with Irish authorities.

The Irish embassy’s statement noted that “over 100,000 Indians now call Ireland home”, adding that the country has “a long and proud history of migration – both as a country whose people have lived abroad and contributed to communities around the world, and now as a welcoming home for those who seek opportunity, safety and belonging”.

It said Irish society is “enriched by the diversity of people who live in Ireland, particularly our Indian community, whose contributions continue to deepen the bonds between our nations”.

The embassy also said it is “in regular contact with the Indian mission in Dublin” and that Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs “is in ongoing contact with An Garda Síochána [the national police]” on investigations.

According to Irish government records, Indians are the fastest-growing immigrant community in Ireland.

Over a third of skilled work permits issued to foreign nationals in 2024 went to Indians, with 13,500 granted compared to 4,553 for Brazilians and 4,049 for Filipinos.

Indian nurses account for a fifth of all registered nurses and midwives in the country, with nearly 18,500 registered alongside 54,000 Irish nurses.

The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.