Waterford, Ireland: A shocking incident of racial violence has come to light in Waterford City, Ireland, where a six-year-old Indian-origin girl named Nia Naveen was brutally assaulted by a group of teenagers near her residence in Kilbarry. The incident occurred on Monday evening, August 4, and has sparked outrage and concern within the Indian community and beyond.

According to the child’s mother, Anupa Achuthan, who is a nurse and Irish citizen originally from Kerala, the young girl was playing outside her home when she was attacked by five to six children aged between 8 and 14 years. The assailants reportedly hurled racial slurs such as “dirty Indian” and “go back to India” during the assault.

The attack turned violent when the group punched Nia in the face, twisted her hair, and one boy used a bicycle wheel to strike her in her private parts. The girl returned home crying and terrified, and was later taken to University Hospital Waterford for treatment. Medical examinations confirmed injuries to her face and swelling in her genital area.

Nia’s mother, while heartbroken and deeply shaken, stated that she is not seeking punishment for the children involved. Instead, she hopes they receive counselling and education to understand the gravity of their actions and to learn empathy. “I could not protect her,” she said, describing her child’s fear and silence following the attack.

This disturbing case is part of a troubling pattern of racially motivated violence targeting members of the Indian community in Ireland. Just weeks prior, a 40-year-old Indian man was assaulted in Tallaght, Dublin. He was stripped, beaten, and slammed against a lamppost in an attack now under investigation as a hate crime. In another incident, Indian-origin AI scientist Dr. Santosh Yadav was attacked by a group of teenagers outside his Dublin apartment, leaving him bleeding with broken glasses. He described the attack as part of a growing trend of racially charged aggression in the country.

Additionally, other Indian professionals have reported experiencing racism, including verbal abuse and stereotyping. A doctor in Drogheda was recently mocked by children using exaggerated Indian accents.

The Indian Embassy in Dublin has issued advisories urging citizens to remain cautious and avoid walking alone in isolated areas, especially after dark. Advocacy groups and members of the Indian diaspora are calling for urgent action from the Irish government, including improved community policing, anti-racism education in schools, and support services for victims of hate crimes.

Despite reporting the incident to the Gardaí, there have been no public updates regarding arrests or disciplinary action. Community leaders continue to demand stronger responses from authorities to ensure the safety and dignity of all residents, regardless of their background.

The attack on young Nia Naveen has become a stark and painful reminder of the need for cultural sensitivity, awareness, and systemic efforts to combat racism in Ireland.