A six-year-old girl of Indian origin was reportedly assaulted in a racially motivated attack outside her home in Waterford, Ireland, drawing widespread concern and outrage from the Indian community. The child, who was born in Ireland, was allegedly targeted by a group of older boys who physically attacked her and used racial slurs, telling her to “go back to India”.
The girl’s mother, who spoke to the Irish Mirror, said her daughter had been playing outside their house on Monday evening when the incident occurred.
She explained that her daughter was with her friends near the house, and she had briefly gone inside to feed her 10-month-old son. Within minutes, her daughter returned home in tears, visibly shaken and unable to speak at first due to fear and trauma.
The mother, who works as a nurse and has been living in Ireland for eight years, said that a group of older children, including boys aged between 12 and 14 and one girl, had attacked her daughter.
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According to what the mother told the news outlet, the attackers used abusive language and struck the girl multiple times. One of the boys reportedly hit her in the private parts using a bicycle, while others punched her in the face and twisted her hair. The girl also said the boys used offensive language and racial insults during the attack.
The family, who had moved into the area in January, said they had not faced any such incidents until now. The mother told the outlet that she was devastated by what happened and never imagined that such a thing could take place, especially in what she believed to be a safe neighbourhood.
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This case is believed to be the first documented racist attack on an Indian-origin child in Ireland. However, Indian nationals in the country have reported similar unprovoked assaults in recent weeks. Two Indian men were recently attacked in separate incidents in Dublin — one in Tallaght and another in Clondalkin — both believed to be random but suspected to be racially motivated.
Following these incidents, the Indian embassy in Ireland has issued an advisory urging Indian citizens to remain cautious.
#MEAIndia @MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/RBmnRd4ZEs
— India in Ireland (Embassy of India, Dublin) (@IndiainIreland) August 1, 2025
The attack on the young girl has further intensified concerns about the safety and well-being of the Indian community in Ireland.
