Indian-Origin Girl Attacked in Waterford City

A six-year-old girl of Indian origin, Nia Naveen, became the latest victim of a racist attack in Ireland. The incident occurred while she was playing outside her home in Waterford City, located in southeast Ireland. A group of children, aged between 12 and 14, targeted her with racial slurs, calling her “dirty” and demanding she “go back to India.” The attack escalated when the gang physically assaulted her, causing significant distress.

Mother’s Account of the Incident

Nia’s mother, Anupa Achuthan, recounted the harrowing experience to the Irish Mirror. She explained that the gang punched her daughter in the face, hit her private parts with a bicycle, and twisted her hair. Ms. Achuthan, a nurse who has lived in Ireland for eight years and recently obtained Irish citizenship, expressed her shock and sadness over the incident. Her children were born in Ireland, and the family had only moved into their current residence in January.

Immediate Aftermath and Emotional Impact

The attack happened around 7:30 pm when Nia was playing outside with friends. Ms. Achuthan briefly went inside to attend to her younger child and returned to find her daughter visibly upset. Nia’s friends were also distressed and unable to articulate what had happened immediately. Eventually, they revealed that older boys had physically assaulted Nia and used derogatory language against her.

Community Response and Call for Counseling

Despite reporting the incident to the gardai (Irish police), Ms. Achuthan does not wish for punitive measures against the children involved. Instead, she advocates for counseling to educate them on treating others with respect. She believes that awareness is crucial for preventing such incidents in the future.

Broader Context of Racial Tensions

This attack is part of a troubling pattern of racial incidents targeting people of Indian origin in Ireland. Recent attacks have also been reported in Dublin’s Tallaght and Clondalkin areas. In response to these events, the Indian Embassy in Dublin has issued a warning for Indian citizens to exercise caution.