Stronger policing needed after attacks on Indian community, Migration Minister says
Olivia Kelleher
Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy has said that a stronger policing response is needed following a number of attacks on members of the Indian community living and working in Ireland.
Tánaiste Simon Harris is set to meet with representatives of the Indian community today.
They will discuss a spate of unprovoked attacks and incidents of racism which have been reported by Indian nationals living in Ireland. The Indian Embassy also recently issued a warning to its citizens living and working in Ireland.
In an interview with This Week on RTÉ Radio One, Mr Brophy condemned the attacks, which he described as being “totally unacceptable.”
“They don’t represent the ordinary people of Ireland and what they see for their country. It is appalling that such attacks take place on what has become a far more regular basis.”
Mr Brophy said that he wants to see the incoming Garda Commissioner “very much prioritise dealing with this.”
"We actually have seen a drop in serious crime, but in this particular area, we have seen a rise in the type of attacks.
"I know the Tánaiste is reaching out in his meeting, and there has to be a series of engagement between the Government and community groups and organisations. I also think there needs to be a policing response. I think there needs to be a stronger policing response in this area," Mr Brophy said.
"I would like to see a progression on what I know is happening locally in Tallaght on Monday, where the gardaí are reaching out to the Indian community leaders, and they are having a meeting with them.
"But we also need to see a proactive response in the way in the past we have tackled other issues around organised crime. An Garda Síochána need to make it absolutely clear that they will deploy the resources necessary to deal with it. I want to acknowledge that they are doing excellent work in investigating the crimes that have taken place.”
Mr Brophy cited as particularly abhorrent the recording and videoing of the attacks and the disseminating of the same on social media. He said that young people who carry out such attacks should be punished “in a meaningful way."
“They will be punished in a meaningful way. Helen McEntee brought through there in her final months as Justice Minister the new hate crime legislation, which allows for increased sentences, particularly when a hate crime is involved.
"There is an onus not just on the policing response. We need as communities to come together. It is not just a job for the gardaí, it is a job for all of us collectively to say that it is not acceptable to have those attacks on members of our community.”
Minister Brophy also refuted a suggestion by This Week host, broadcaster Justin McCarthy, that “tougher language” used by certain Government politicians in relation to the crackdown on immigration was in some way emboldening individuals who might attack migrants.
“I think it is quite wrong to say that. We have advocated quite clearly that what we believe is necessary is to have a firm, fair and effective system when it comes to dealing with applicants for international protection. There is nothing wrong with that. That is just acknowledging what should be the situation.
"There is nothing wrong with saying that if somebody is not entitled to international protection, they will be asked to leave. And that is where deportation comes in.
"What you are basically saying is that Governments or senior politicians of any party who want to see a system that is a firm and fair system for inward migration can be blamed for the actions of people who I believe are extremist, violent thugs who are capable of stoking up their own lies and own violence.
"Ireland is a modern country. It is an integrated country. We have people who are here in their thousands who work in our health services, who pay their taxes and who are an essential part of modern Ireland. We welcome that. We believe that is part of what makes Ireland stronger.”
Minister Brophy added they would work with social media companies to clamp down on “lies which are disseminated online” and the placing online of videos of attacks.
"There is a combined need to look again and see how we can work with the social media companies to clamp down on this. I don't think it is acceptable that social media companies, some of them, using ridiculous guises of free speech, etc, have not been willing to participate in a way that I believe they should clamp down on this."
