Exclusive: “They haven’t recorded it as the case,” says mother of Indian child in Ireland hate crime

A brutal racist attack on six-year-old Nia Naveen outside her family home in Ireland has highlighted serious concerns about rising hate crimes and inadequate police responses, according to an exclusive interview with her parents.

Nia, a child of Indian origin, was attacked by a group of teenagers whilst playing directly in front of her residence. Her parents, Anupa Achuthan and Naveen, are Irish citizens who have lived in Ireland for almost eight years.

Trauma and Fear

The attack left lasting psychological scars on the family. “It was so scary experience at that time because, you know, we were alone at that time and she was playing just in front of our house, so that was scary,” explained Anupa. “Nia wasn’t ready to play outside for two days. She was so scared and all.”
The trauma extended beyond Nia herself. “We are still living in with that trauma as a parent of a six year old and a 10-month old,” Anupa added, describing the ongoing impact on their family life.

Police Response Failures

Perhaps most shocking was the initial police response to the incident. “We informed police about this, but they were not. They haven’t recorded it as the case. That was a surprising thing for us,” Anupa revealed. “After one day only, we went to the police station again. Then only they were ready to take it as a registered case.”

Teenage Protection Laws Under Scrutiny

Anupa identified Ireland’s teenage protection laws as a significant contributing factor to these attacks. “I think there’s a teenage protection law which is very valuable in Ireland. That is one factor because all these racist attacks are happening from a group of teenage boys,” she explained. “I think they are well aware that if even if something is happening, they won’t be get arrested and they won’t be punished.”

Recent Deterioration in Social Climate

Despite their long-term residence, the parents noted a recent shift in Ireland’s social environment. “Ireland wasn’t like this before. This is my first experience. I think recently, I would say less than a year, these things are changing now,” Anupa observed.

She was careful to distinguish between individual perpetrators and Irish society broadly: “I won’t say Ireland is racist and I can’t say that because I am working in a hospital. I have many Irish friends, colleagues. They are very upset and they’re very supportive.”

Pattern of Unreported Cases

The incident appears part of a broader pattern affecting the Indian community. “Since few months, all the Indian community and other nationals, we are hearing these racist attacks,” Anupa said, referencing other incidents including “the Thala incident” where “one man was brutally had an attack from the teenage gang again.”

Concerningly, many cases remain unreported. “What I understood from the messages from many other people after these incidents… many cases are not yet officially registered. They are neglected,” she revealed.

Child’s Recovery

Nia has begun to recover with community support. “She said she want to play again with her friends. She started playing yesterday again,” Anupa shared. “All these kids came home, they were very supportive talking to her, trying to engage her.”

Calls for Legislative Reform

The parents are calling for systemic change. “The government has to do something because this is not the only case,” Anupa emphasised. “We need some change in the law of teenage protection laws. That’s a matter of real concern, and the government has to address that, I think.”

The case underscores urgent questions about hate crime legislation, police training, and the protection of minority communities in Ireland’s changing social landscape.

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