‘Go back to your country’: How an Indian cab driver became latest new victim of racist attack in Ireland

An Indian cab driver has become the latest target in a string of racist attacks in Ireland.

Lakhvir Singh, who has been living in Ireland for over 23 years and driving a cab for more than a decade, says he was struck on the head with a bottle by two young men in what he described as an unprovoked assault that has left him deeply shaken, reports Dublin Live.

This marks the third such incident in recent days. Earlier, a 40-year-old Indian man was beaten and stripped by a teenage gang in Tallaght, while a 32-year-old Indian-origin entrepreneur was also brutally attacked by teenagers in another part of Dublin.

With fear rising among the Indian community and growing frustration over repeated violent incidents, many are asking: Why are these attacks happening so frequently? Is enough being done to protect them? And how is India responding?

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Here’s a closer look.

The cowardly attack on the Indian cabbie

According to Dublin Live, the incident happened on a Friday night when Lakhvir Singh picked up two young passengers, around 20 or 21 years old, from Dublin’s northside and drove them to Poppintree.

But when they arrived at their destination, the situation suddenly turned violent. As Singh stopped the vehicle, the two men opened his side of the door and reportedly struck him twice on the head with a bottle, before fleeing the scene. As they ran, they reportedly shouted: “Go back to your own country.”

Originally from India, Singh has lived in Ireland for over two decades. After the assault, he was left bleeding and disoriented. He knocked on doors nearby looking for help, but no one answered.

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Eventually, he called 999 – Gardai (the state police force of Ireland), and emergency services arrived and took him to Beaumont Hospital for treatment.

Though he avoided serious physical injuries, Singh said the experience has left him deeply shaken. His cab was left blood-stained, and he’s unsure when, or if, he’ll feel ready to return to work.

“In 10 years, I’ve never seen anything like this happen,” he told Dublin Live. “I’m really scared now, and I’m off the road at the moment. It will be very hard to go back. My children are really scared,” he added.

The Irish police spokesperson confirmed that they were investigating the attack.

The string of attacks on Indians

The assault on Lakhvir Singh is just one in a series of violent incidents that have recently targeted Indians in Ireland.

On July 27, Santosh Yadav, a 32-year-old Indian-origin tech professional, was attacked by a group of six teenagers near his apartment in Dublin. The assault left him with a fractured cheekbone and multiple injuries.

“After having dinner, I was walking near my apartment when a group of six teenagers attacked me from behind,” he shared on LinkedIn. “They snatched my glasses, broke them, and then beat me relentlessly — across my head, face, neck, chest, hands, and legs — leaving me bleeding on the pavement.”

Yadav managed to call the police, who took him to Blanchardstown Hospital. In his post, he also pointed out that this wasn’t an isolated case.

“Racist attacks on Indian men and other minorities are surging across Dublin — on buses, in housing estates, and on public streets. They run free and are emboldened to attack again,” he wrote.

Just a week earlier, on July 19, a man in his 40s was assaulted and stripped in Tallaght after a group of youngsters falsely accused him of inappropriate behaviour around children. Police are treating the case as a hate crime.

The victim was reportedly beaten and humiliated by the Irish teen gang before a passerby, Jennifer Murray, came to the rescue.

“I saw this man standing there, completely soaked in blood… pleading, ‘please help me, please save me’,” she said in a widely shared video.

That same day, another Indian student from Dublin Business School was attacked while walking through Sean Walsh Park around 6 pm. A group of teenagers allegedly swore at him and punched him in the face, leaving him with a broken nose and bruises.

These repeated attacks have raised serious concerns about the safety of Indian nationals in Ireland, especially in areas like Dublin, where multiple such incidents have occurred in a short span.

Indian embassy in Ireland issues advisory

In light of the recent surge in attacks, the Indian Embassy in Dublin has issued an urgent safety advisory for Indian nationals in Ireland, asking them to remain alert and take precautions, especially while travelling alone or at odd hours.

The embassy also confirmed that it is in touch with Irish authorities and is closely following up on the incidents involving Indian nationals.

“All Indian citizens in Ireland are advised to avoid isolated or poorly lit areas, especially during late hours. Stay aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious behaviour,” the advisory stated.

A dedicated emergency helpline has been activated to assist Indian citizens in distress, and the embassy has urged people to immediately report any harassment, violence, or threats.

Indian citizens can reach out via phone on 08994 23734 or email at cons.dublin@mea.gov.in.

The embassy also said it is offering support to the victims and is working with local authorities to ensure swift investigations and accountability in these cases.

Why are attacks on Indians on the rise in Ireland?

The recent spate of violent attacks against Indian nationals in Ireland is part of a larger and more complex problem.

Officials and experts point out that hostility towards immigrants has been building among certain sections of the Irish population. A key trigger, they say, is the sharp increase in migration.

According to Ireland’s Central Statistics Office, more than 150,000 people relocated to Ireland between 2023 and 2024, the highest influx in 17 years.

Among them, the Indian community has grown significantly. In just a decade, the number of Indian-origin residents in Ireland has jumped nearly 300 per cent, from 11,465 to 45,449.

Adding to that, Indians received over a third of all skilled employment permits granted to foreign workers in 2024, around 13,500 permits. In comparison, just 4,553 were awarded to Brazilians, and 4,049 to Filipinos.

This rapid demographic shift has stirred resentment among locals, with many blaming immigration for Ireland’s housing crisis, rising rent prices, and increasing homelessness.

While Ireland remains a welcoming country in many ways, these recent trends have made it clear that tensions are rising, and without stronger protections and clearer communication, immigrants may continue to bear the brunt of this anger.

With input from agencies