Gardaí are investigating a brutal attack on an Indian national by a gang of teenagers in south Dublin as a potential hate crime.
The victim, aged in his 40s, was seriously assaulted and suffered cuts to his head, just above his eyes, and to his hands, at around 6pm on Saturday.
The man appears to have been stripped of his trousers in the incident, and photographs purportedly showing him depict bleeding and injuries on his face, arms, and legs.
The incident occurred along Parkhill Road, in Kilnamanagh, Tallaght.
It is understood that hate motivation is a primary line of inquiry for the gardaí.
According to a social media post, a woman stated that she was among those who assisted the victim and contacted emergency services.
She estimated that the teenagers suspected of being involved in the attack were approximately 15 or 16 years old.
The woman added that older adults present alleged the victim had engaged in indecent behavior at a nearby playground and that this was the reason for the assault.
Gardaí are investigating all aspects of the incident, but sources have expressed strong skepticism about these allegations.
A garda statement reads: “Gardaí in Tallaght were alerted to an incident at Parkhill Road, Tallaght, on the evening of Saturday at approximately 6pm. Gardaí attended the scene, and a male, aged in his 40s, was taken to Tallaght University Hospital with injuries.”
“Anyone with information is asked to contact Tallaght Garda Station at 01 666 6000 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.”
Local People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy commented, “The local community is in shock at this appalling attack. This appears to be the latest in a series of recent racially motivated attacks by a gang in the area. Those responsible must be found and stopped.”