DUBLIN, IRELAND - August 7, 2025 : A six-year-old Indian girl was attacked and racially abused by a group of boys while playing outside her home in Waterford City, Ireland. The girl, Nia Naveen, was left injured and scared after the shocking incident on Monday evening.

Her mother, Anupa Achuthan, said Nia was playing near their house when a group of boys, aged between 12 and 14, approached her. They shouted racist words like “dirty Indian” and told her to “go back to India” before hitting her.

“They punched her face, hit her private parts with a bike wheel, and twisted her hair,” said Ms. Achuthan. “She ran inside crying. She couldn’t even speak properly.”

The family, originally from Kerala, India, moved to Ireland eight years ago. They had recently shifted to their current home in January. Ms. Achuthan works as a nurse and became an Irish citizen just a few weeks ago.

“She was so happy to make new friends when we moved here,” said the mother. “Now, she’s too scared to go out. She cried herself to sleep.”

Ms. Achuthan said she had been watching the kids from the window, but went inside for a few minutes to feed her baby. That’s when the attack happened.

Afterwards, she went out and confronted the group of boys, but they laughed at her. “They knew I was the mother, but they didn’t care,” she said.

Although deeply hurt, Ms. Achuthan says she doesn’t want the boys punished harshly. “They are still children. They need to learn what they did was wrong. Maybe they need help, not just punishment.”

This incident has raised new concerns about racism in Ireland. In recent months, there have been other similar attacks in areas like Tallaght and Clondalkin in Dublin.

The Indian Embassy in Dublin asked Indian citizens in Ireland to be alert and stay safe. The Irish police (Gardaí) are investigating the case. So far, no arrests have been made.

Ms. Achuthan is now asking the government to do more to protect families like hers. “We came here to work and live peacefully. We are educated people. But if our children are not safe, what kind of future do we have?”

She added, “I still want to believe that Ireland is my home. But this incident has broken our hearts.”