The Minister of State for Migration has called for a stronger policing response, in the wake of a series of attacks on members of the Indian community.
There have been several assaults and incidents of racism reported by Indian people in Ireland, prompting the Indian Embassy to issue a warning to its citizens living and working in Ireland.
More than 100 people took part in a silent protest by members of the Indian community in Ireland at the Department of Justice last month.
Colm Brophy said that the attacks were appalling, adding that he hoped that the incoming Garda Commissioner would prioritise the matter.
"We actually have seen a drop in serious crime, but in this particular area, we have seen a rise in the type of attacks," he said.
"I think there needs to be a stronger policing response in this area."
Minister of State calls for stronger policing
Asked about reports that some of the attacks were being carried out by teenagers, Minister Brophy said he did believe young people could be punished in a "meaningful way" and pointed to recent legislation on hate crime which carries heavier sentences.
Speaking on RTÉ's This Week, Minister Brophy said communities needed to come together to understand that it is not acceptable to have these attacks taking place.
He said there needed to be a proactive response, similar to those in relation to organised crime and that gardaí were doing an excellent job investigating crimes, but he said he wanted clarity that resources would be deployed to deal with the rise in attacks on minorities.
Read more: 'People are worried': Fears grow among Indians living in Ireland
Asked why no action was being taken against social media companies who allowed images of attacks to remain on their platforms, Minister Brophy said they would work with the firms to clamp down on this.
"There is a combined need…to look again and see how we can work with social media companies to clamp down on this," he said.
"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."
He said the first thing to do was to get companies to agree to participate and engage with Government on the issue.
Colm Brophy also denied that a crackdown on immigration was emboldening people who might attack migrants.
The Tánaiste has said he is "deeply concerned" after a number of attacks on Indian citizens in recent weeks, and said he will work with the community to see what the Government can do to help.
Simon Harris is due to meet the India Ireland Council today, and said that Ireland is "a country that recognises the incredible value that the Indian community have made".
Speaking in Tullamore, Mr Harris said he is "deeply concerned by what we've seen happen in the last number of weeks."
Health service would 'fall over' without Indian community - Harris
"The Indian community in Ireland have made and continue to make an incredible contribution to society and to life in this country", adding that the health service would fall apart "if it wasn't for them".
Mr Harris said: "This is a good country, this is a country of céad míle fáilte, this is a country that recognises the incredible value that the Indian community have made.
"It's a country that abhors racism, we must continue to call it out.
"I think one of the most concerning things we have seen is the very young age of those that have been involved in some of this racist activity.
"So tomorrow I’ll take the opportunity to meet with the Indian community to hear their views directly and see what more Government can do to help."
'It is not safe to go into the city centre'
Garda statistics show an increase in hate crimes on migrants and members of the LGBTQ+ communities.
Members of these communities say they have been spat at, kicked, subjected to horrific verbal abuse, while others have been threatened at knifepoint.
Pradeep Mahadeshwar, has been living in Dublin for 15 years and works as an artist.
He is a member of Dublin’s Indian and LGBT+ community.
Speaking to RTÉ's This Week, Mr Mahadeshwar said he has noticed a very recent change in attitude towards migrants and other minorities, including gay people.
He said he was subjected to racist slurs, verbal and physical abuse and on one occasion was attacked at knifepoint.
"I've noticed a significant rise in this hate crime against people of colour and queer people of colour," he said.
"It is not safe to go into the city centre, especially at night.
"It's frightening really."
"The abuse has intensified in the last half year," he added.
Whenever I go into the city, I am called a 'fag**t' and other unsolicited slurs.
"People spit in my direction and on my backpack. It's so unfair because I am not harming them at all so what's the point in targeting me?"
Mr Mahadeshwar came to Ireland believing it was welcoming for minorities, especially migrants and those from the queer community.
"I didn't realise racism here was so deep rooted an issue.
"I'm in a state of hyper-vigilance all the time."
"It impacts me daily- whenever I got into the city. I've stopped using the Red Line and now I prefer to walk to Heuston [station]," he said.
"Everybody is so angry, staring at you and they will punch you. It has happened to me many times and I have also seen people clutching their fist and looking at me," he added.
He recalled one incident when a drunk woman holding a knife chased him as he was walking from Dublin's Kilmainham into the city centre.
"I was in town returning from an event and woman followed me. She was drunk and had a knife in her hand; I was so terrified.
"Nobody, wanted to help me so I ran into a hotel," Mr Mahadeshwar said.
Garda figures show 3.8% increase in hate crimes
Latest garda figures show there was a 3.8% increase in hate crimes in 2024, on the previous year.
Lee Isac is a PhD student from India and has been in Dublin for four years.
"I've actually faced a lot of verbal and physical attacks here in the city centre," he said.
"It's scary to be in the city centre now.
"You come here for work, to meet friends, go to a pub, and you constantly have to be on the alert."
"I'm in a state of hyper-vigilance all the time," he added.
Mr Isac, spoke of how he and a friend were subjected to a terrifying ordeal recently when they were threatened at knifepoint.
"I've been pushed around many times in the city centre, but on one occasion a man pushed us around and threatened he would stab us both if we didn't get away," he said.
"I was terrified. Survival instinct kicks in, and all you want is to get away from the situation.
"Afterwards, when you have time to think about it, you ask yourself why didn't I stand up for myself?
"You look around for help, but nobody comes to help and that is disheartening."
