GARDAÍ have sought to make it clear that they are the “sole agency with the statutory role of preserving peace and public order” following the broad daylight assault and hospitalisation of a migrant man in Limerick.
This comes following reports of a migrant man who was confronted by a group in the People’s Park, in the heart of Limerick City, in a verbal attack described as an “act of harassment and violence” on Sunday June 30.
The incident was filmed and shared across social media of a group haranguing the innocent migrant man following “unfounded and fabricated allegations”.
Persons in the video, seen by the Limerick Post, can be heard telling the man that someone “should hack your head off” and making derogatory comments about his culture.
In the aftermath of the verbal attack, Gardaí have carried out enquiries and said they are satisfied that allegations made about the man are unfounded and that his behaviour was “not of a criminal nature and nothing was untoward”.
They added that the man “fully co-operated” with Gardaí during their enquiries.
Speaking out against the verbal attack, migrant and refugee rights organisation Doras said it was “appalled” and urged the public not to share or engage with online posts that spread false claims as “doing so can put innocent people in real danger”.
Doras said the incident “has understandably caused fear and distress within migrant communities – and, rightly, outrage among the vast majority of people in Limerick who reject racism and vigilantism”.
“Limerick has a proud tradition of being a welcoming and inclusive city. Organised hate and harassment of any group has no place here – and it must not be tolerated.”
Gardaí are separately investigating an assault following the online sharing of the recording, which resulted in the same migrant man being hospitalised.
A statement from An Garda Síochána confirmed the man, in his 40s, sustained non-life-threatening injuries in a broad daylight assault in the Parnell Street area of Limerick City at around 3.45pm on July 1.
The man was brought to University Hospital Limerick for treatment.
Following the attack, Gardaí have reminded the public that they are the “sole agency with the statutory role of preserving peace and public order”.
“It is the statutory role of An Garda Síochána to investigate crime and enforce enacted legislation, ensuring that every citizen is afforded their constitutional right to innocence until proven guilty and a human rights-based criminal investigation.”
Gardaí also called on “anyone with information regarding breaches of criminal law to report it directly to us, where it will be investigated thoroughly and professionally”.
They said An Garda Síochána has “a number of initiatives in place nationwide to facilitate engagement with people and allow them report any concerns in their area, including Community Alert, Neighbourhood Watch, Community Text Alert, ‘See Something, Say Something’ and the Garda Confidential Line”.
Mirroring Doras’ call for videos of the verbal attack not to be shared, Gardaí said they were “aware of the misinformation and disinformation currently in circulation online with regard to the initial concerns raised with Gardaí, and ask that any content shared is not forwarded onwards or further posted”.
‘Full force of the law’
A number of public representatives have spoken out in the days since the attacks, speaking out against “racism”, “disinformation”, “violence”, and “hate within our city”, and calling for the “full force of the law” to be exerted upon the perpetrator of the assault.
Social Democrats councillor Elisa O’Donovan told the Limerick Post that she is “beyond appalled and distressed” at the targeted attack.
“People born outside Ireland, including myself, make up almost half of our city centre population. Migrants come to Limerick for great opportunities to work, to study, and to live,” Cllr O’Donovan said.
“These targeted acts of harassment against migrants add to a culture of feeling unsafe and fear in our city centre.”
The Soc Dems councillor urged those recording or sharing such incidents to consider that they are “spreading disinformation, violence, and hate within our city”.
Labour TD Conor Sheehan declared that “racism of any sort has no place in our city. This is not who we are.”
“Limerick has always been a welcoming city. We must eradicate the stain of racism wherever we encounter it and I will work with all communities in Limerick to make our city a better and more inclusive place.
“There is a frightening rise in intolerance and racism in recent years, and we must stamp this out and the full force of the law must come down upon the perpetrator of this attack.”
Cathaoirleach of the Council’s Metropolitan District, Cllr Daniel Butler, unequivocally condemned the “vile” attacks, which he said “have no place in our society and stand in direct opposition to the values of respect, equality, and human dignity”.
“Racism, in any form, is a scourge that must be confronted wherever it appears.”
Gardaí have appealed for witnesses to the July 1 assault on Parnell Street to come forward to Roxboro Road Garda Station (061 214 340), the Garda Confidential Line (1800 666 111), or any Garda station.
Doras also have extended its hand to anyone who witnesses or experiences racism or a hate crime to contact them on 083 008 6391 or via email on [email protected].
