Irish President Slams ‘Despicable’ Attacks On Indians: ‘Ireland Itself Shaped By Migration...’

Last Updated:August 12, 2025, 23:36 IST

Irish President Michael D Higgins condemned attacks on the Indian community, praising their contributions to Irish society.

Michael D Higgins called for zero tolerance against hate, citing Indian migrants’ long-standing contributions to Irish society. (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE)

Irish President Michael D Higgins on Tuesday condemned recent racially-motivated attacks on members of the Indian community in the country, calling them “despicable" and “in stark contradiction" to Ireland’s values.

In a statement, Higgins expressed “a deep sense of gratitude" to the Indian community for its contributions to Irish life, citing their role in medicine, nursing, cultural life, business and enterprise.

“As President of Ireland, may I take the opportunity at this time of stress for some of their community to express the deep sense of gratitude we all in Ireland owe to the Indian community here. We are all mindful of the immense contribution this community has made, and continues to make, to so many aspects of Irish life, in medicine, nursing, the caring professions, in cultural life, in business and enterprise, to cite just some. Their presence, their work, their culture, have been a source of enrichment and generosity to our shared life," he said.

He stressed that Ireland’s history of migration should guide its treatment of newcomers, adding that hatred, including on social media, erodes values of “hospitality, friendship and care for others".

“Ireland has long been shaped by migration, both outward and inward. Those who left our shores carried our culture and values into faraway lands, often depending on the generosity of strangers. That shared human experience should remain at the heart of how we treat those who have come to make their lives here. To forget that is to lose a part of ourselves".

“The recent despicable attacks on members of the Indian community stand in stark contradiction to the values that we as a people hold dear. That any person in Ireland, particularly any young person, should be drawn into such behaviour through manipulation or provocation is to be unequivocally condemned. Whether such provocation stems from ignorance or from malice, it is essential to acknowledge the harm that it is causing. Such acts diminish all of us and obscure the immeasurable benefits the people of India have brought to the life of this country," he said, as per a press release from his office.

The press release shared by the Irish President’s office comes after a string of alleged racially motivated attacks against Indians in Ireland. This month itself an Indian-origin taxi driver, a six-year-old girl and a 60-year-old woman were subjected to racial harassment.

The India Day celebrations in Ireland were also postponed due to the increase in ‘racist attacks’ targeting the Indian community in recent months, the Ireland India Council said on Tuesday.

Reacting to Higgins’ statement, Indian envoy to Dublin, Akhilesh Mishra said: Deeply grateful to His Excellency, the Irish President, Dr Michael Higgins for his strong message against attacks on Indians. Indians in Ireland are privileged to have blessings and support of a caring, compassionate poet and intellectual thought-leader (like) Dr Higgins".

Shared Histories

Higgins said that Ireland and India share deep historical ties and a struggle for independence. “Ireland’s connections with India are neither recent nor superficial. Earlier this year, I met with the Minister of External Affairs of India, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and we discussed how much our histories share the experience of paths towards independence, the role of Irish woman Margaret Cousins in establishing the All India Women’s Conference, the exchange of expertise as both countries drafted and agreed our Constitutions, and the fostering of diplomatic and political relationships over the decades, relationships which remain vibrant today," he said.

He also pointed out that social media and other shared spaces must remain free of hate speech and calls for violence, warning that such rhetoric harms not just individuals but also undermines Ireland’s core values of hospitality, friendship and care. These values, he stressed, must extend to everyone who is part of Irish society, ensuring all communities can live with safety, dignity and mutual respect.

Dublin, Ireland

News world Irish President Slams ‘Despicable’ Attacks On Indians: ‘Ireland Itself Shaped By Migration...’

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