DUBLIN: In yet another troubling incident targeting the Indian community in Ireland, a long-time cab driver of Indian origin was assaulted in Dublin’s Ballymun area on Friday night. The victim, Lakhvir Singh, was struck twice on the head with a bottle by two passengers who also reportedly hurled xenophobic slurs before fleeing the scene.
Singh, a resident of Ireland for over 23 years and a taxi driver for more than a decade, sustained head injuries during the attack and was treated at Beaumont Hospital. Recounting the traumatic experience to Dublin Live, the father-of-two said he is now “very scared” to return to work.
“In 10 years, I’ve never seen anything like this happen. 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,” Singh said.
The assault took place after he picked up two young men, believed to be around 20 or 21, from north Dublin and dropped them off at Poppintree, Ballymun. Upon arrival, they opened the driver’s door and hit him twice with a glass bottle, leaving the cab bloodied. Singh said that despite seeking help from nearby homes, no one responded. Emergency services were called, and Gardaí and medical teams arrived shortly after.
A Garda spokesperson confirmed an investigation is underway:
“Gardaí are investigating an assault reported to have occurred in Poppintree, Ballymun, Dublin 11 at approximately 11:45pm on Friday, 1st August 2025. A man, aged in his 40s, was brought to Beaumont Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Investigations are ongoing.”
Series of Attacks Raise Alarm
Singh’s assault is the latest in a growing number of violent incidents involving Indian nationals in Dublin in recent weeks.
- On July 19, an Indian man was brutally attacked, stripped, and stabbed in the face by a group of youths in Kilnamanagh, Tallaght — during daylight.
- On July 27, a 32-year-old Indian data scientist was hospitalized after being assaulted by six teenagers in Liffey Valley in an unprovoked attack.
In response to the spate of violence, the Indian Embassy in Dublin has issued a safety advisory urging Indian nationals in Ireland to exercise caution.
“There has been an increase in the instances of physical attacks reported against Indian citizens in Ireland recently. The Embassy is in touch with the authorities concerned and advises Indian nationals to take reasonable precautions, especially to avoid deserted areas at odd hours,” the advisory stated.
The repeated targeting of Indian citizens has sparked concern within the diaspora and among community leaders, who are calling for stronger protections and faster legal action against the perpetrators.
