Waterford Indian Community have 'positive' meeting with Gardaí after concerning posts
Photo l-r: Shiju Sasthamkunnel, Garda David Browne, Senthil Ramaswamy and Sabu Isaac at Waterford Garda Station, March 28, 2026.
Representatives of the Waterford Indian Community and Waterford Malayalee Association met with Gardaí over the weekend in the wake of online attacks.
Shiju Sasthamkunnel, Chairman, Waterford Malayalee Association, committee member Sabu Isaac and Senthil Ramaswamy, Chairman of Waterford Indian Sangam, had a two-hour meeting with Gardaí last Saturday.
The meeting was arranged after a number of concerning posts were published online that targeted the communities' participation in the recent St. Patrick's Day parade in Waterford.
The posts targeted men, women and children taking part in the parade, using artificial intelligence to create a distorted image of the parade and the communities.
Mr. Ramaswamy told the News and Star that the meeting was 'very positive' and Gardaí advised on how to report harmful content.
He stated: "Garda Browne provided valuable insights into current legislation and noted areas where laws require strengthening to address online harm effectively. A formal written complaint was submitted to remove harmful content from social media platforms."
"The meeting concluded with plans for future collaborations, committee meetings, and community information events with Gardaí," he said.
"We appreciate the support of Superintendent, Inspector, Garda Browne, and the Waterford Garda team in addressing these issues and many thanks to Garda members for giving appointment soon to the Indian Community members."
Local Councillor Eamon Quinlan confirmed that such posts had been highlighted to him by members of the community.
He stated: "In these posts, they were disturbed to see pictures of adults and children, walking in the parade, receiving abuse along with various derogatory comments."
"Other posts show AI generated images of cartoon character Indians walking down the Mall in Waterford as part of the parade, in a sinister fashion, throwing rubbish on the streets and scaring red-haired Irish onlookers," said Cllr Quinlan.
"The community is deeply hurt and disturbed to see such sentiments, and especially to see them gain traction in the online space," he added.
"Any parent would be nervous of such person’s taking pictures of their children to then single them out online."
The Fianna Fáil councillor added: "The Indian Community in Waterford is vibrant and very welcome. Most are stage 4 Visa holders, meaning that they are here working in many of the critical areas that we need such as the hospital and nursing homes."
"Should they lose their employment, they have to leave the country after six months," he said.
"Many have now been here, and working for years. They have purchased homes and their children have Waterford accents stronger than mine," he added.
"Many of the local churches have seen an increase in attendance, due in part to many of Waterford’s Indian Community being Christians. After all these years, they are hurt to see such sentiments being targeted at them, unjustifiably so."
Attacks on the Indian community living in Waterford and the rest of Ireland have increased in the past year.
In August 2025, it was reported that a 6-year-old girl of Indian descent was attacked outside her home in Waterford.
Her assailants shouted 'go back to India' as they attacked her.
Gardaí confirmed that they were investigating the matter.
