Minister of State for Migration, Colm Brophy, has said a stronger response from law enforcement is needed in light of several recent attacks targeting members of the Indian community in Ireland, reports Breaking News.
Tánaiste Simon Harris is expected to meet with Indian community representatives today.
The meeting will focus on a series of unprovoked assaults and racist incidents reported by Indian nationals living in Ireland. The Indian Embassy also recently issued an alert to its citizens residing in the country, reports Breaking News.
Speaking on This Week on RTÉ Radio One, Mr Brophy strongly condemned the attacks, calling them “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,” reports Breaking News.
Mr Brophy said he expects the new Garda Commissioner to treat the issue as a top priority.
“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, reports Breaking News.
“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,” reports Breaking News.
Mr Brophy expressed particular concern over the filming of the assaults and their circulation on social media. He stressed that young offenders involved should face real consequences.
“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,” reports Breaking News.
Mr Brophy also rejected broadcaster Justin McCarthy’s suggestion that “tougher language” used by some Government officials around immigration might be emboldening those who carry out such attacks.
“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,” reports Breaking News.
“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,” reports Breaking News.
“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,” reports Breaking News.
Mr Brophy also said the Government would work with social media companies to curb misinformation and stop violent attack footage from spreading online.
“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,” reports Breaking News.
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