In a deeply troubling incident that has sparked outrage and concern, a six-year-old Indian-origin girl nia naveen was brutally assaulted in what appears to be a racially motivated attack in Waterford City, located in southeast Ireland.
The young girl, Nia Naveen, who was born in Ireland to Indian parents from Kottayam, Kerala, was playing outside her house when nia naveen was attacked by a group of boys aged between 12 and 14. According to nia naveen mother, the gang hurled racial slurs at her daughter, calling her( Nia Naveen)“dirty” and shouting, “Go back to India,” before physically assaulting her.
The nia naveen mother, Anupa Achuthan, a nurse who has lived in Ireland for eight years, shared the horrific details with the irish mirror. She said that her daughter( nia naveen) was punched in the face, hit in the neck, and even assaulted in her private parts with a bicycle. The attackers also pulled her hair and used abusive language, F word.
A Normal Evening Turns Nightmarish
A 6‑year‑old Indian‑origin girl in Waterford, Ireland, was assaulted by a group of boys who punched her, hit her private parts with a bicycle, and hurled racist abuse, telling her to “go back to India.
pic.twitter.com/C94GCUxXn5— Ghar Ke Kalesh (@gharkekalesh) August 7, 2025
The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. when Ms. Achuthan allowed her daughter( nia naveen) to briefly step outside to cycle and play with friends. At the time, she was home alone with her six-year-old and a 10-month-old baby while her husband, who also works in the healthcare sector, had just left for his night shift.
“She was playing inside but wanted to go out for a few minutes,” Ms. Achuthan recalled. “I let her go while I supervised them in front of the house. I went inside for just a minute to feed my crying baby, and in that short time, everything changed.”
Just moments later, her daughter ran back into the house crying uncontrollably and visibly terrified. “She couldn’t even speak. I had never seen her in such a state,” the mother said. “Her friends were also too shaken to explain what had happened.”
Eventually, one of the children managed to tell her that a group of older boys had ambushed Nia, hitting her in the face and pushing a bicycle wheel into her private parts.
The Attack and Its Aftermath(Nia Naveen)
“nia naveen said five boys punched her in the face. One of them hit her in the private area with a bicycle. They used slurs like ‘dirty Indian’ and said, ‘go back to India.’ She later told me they also punched her in the neck and pulled her hair,” Ms. Achuthan said.
Shortly after the incident, she saw the boys still loitering nearby. “They stared straight at me, smirking and laughing,” she said. “They knew I was her mother. They didn’t show any fear or regret.”
Despite the shock and anguish, Ms. Achuthan chose not to pursue punishment for the boys. Instead, she wants them to receive proper counselling. “I know they are kids. But they need to learn how to treat others with respect. I don’t want them punished—just educated. This estate belongs to them too. We all need to live together.”
Family in Fear
The family had moved into the neighborhood earlier this year and were settling in well—until the incident. Nia had made new friends and was enjoying her time outdoors. But now, that sense of joy and freedom has been shattered.
“She told me last night she cried herself to sleep,” Ms. Achuthan shared. “She’s scared to go outside. I don’t even feel safe letting her play in front of our own house anymore. I feel like I failed to protect her. I never imagined something like this could happen here.”
A proud Indian and a newly naturalized Irish citizen, Ms. Achuthan says the attack has left her questioning her place in the country she now calls home.
“This is my second country. I was happy to be an Irish citizen. But after this, I feel like I don’t belong. I work as a nurse and do my job with full dedication. We came here to fill a labour gap, with all the necessary qualifications. Yet, we are called ‘dirty,’ and even our children are not safe. What more do we need to prove to belong here?”
Rising Concern Over Racism in Ireland
This incident is not isolated. In recent months, there have been several reported cases of racially motivated attacks against individuals of Indian and other minority backgrounds in Ireland. Areas like Tallaght and Clondalkin in Dublin have seen similar incidents, raising alarm within immigrant communities.
In response to the growing concern, the Indian Embassy in Dublin has issued an advisory, urging Indian citizens to remain vigilant and exercise caution while in Ireland. The embassy has also expressed deep concern over the Waterford incident and is reportedly in contact with the family.
A Call for Action
Community leaders and human rights groups have condemned the attack, calling on the Irish government to take decisive steps to combat racism, especially against children. Many are urging for greater awareness programs, school interventions, and community-based efforts to address prejudice among youth.
For Ms. Achuthan and her family, the road to healing will take time. “All we ask is for our children to feel safe and accepted,” she said. “This country is our home too. We belong here, and our children deserve to grow up without fear.”
