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Journalism of Courage
Swati Verma, an Indian national residing in Ireland’s Dublin, was walking home when she had a frightening encounter highlighting the persistent issue of racism in the city.
The incident, which occurred on the evening of October 8, 2025, has sparked widespread discussion across Ireland about the challenges immigrants face.
Verma was returning after a gym session and was barely a few steps away from her home when a well-dressed woman, wearing a Dublin City University (DCU) badge, approached her with a barrage of hostile, racially-charged questions.
“Why did you come to Ireland? What are you doing here? Why don’t you go back to India?” the woman said. Despite being startled and frightened, Verma tried to stay calm. She later shared on Instagram, “I never thought I’d have to justify my existence on a street I walk every day.”
The confrontation intensified when the attacker questioned Verma’s immigration status. “Do you have a work visa?” the woman asked. Verma replied, “Yes, I’m not here for free. I pay my taxes and contribute to the economy.” The woman shot back, “Biggest mistake you ever made… go back to India.”
Verma recorded part of the encounter on her phone, capturing the woman’s strange and aggressive statements: “Do you have any idea what you’re doing? You’re coming to Ireland, paying landlords fing money to live here.” Calmly, Verma responded, “And what should I be doing instead—just live on the road, in a tent?”
As the situation escalated, Verma sent voice notes to her partner, alerting him to her distress. The woman moved closer and even touched her, while a passerby who tried to intervene faced similar aggression. Verma later reflected, “Before I walked away, she screamed more hateful things like ‘I’m the power, I’m the entity…’ things that made no sense, just aggression and hate. I managed to leave and made sure she wasn’t following me home.”
Shaken and heartbroken, Verma described the ordeal: “I was startled, scared and just trying to process what was happening while protecting my phone and myself. My mind was racing. I didn’t even think of giving her a ‘clever’ answer, I just wanted to make sure I was safe.” She added that the incident reflects a deeper societal problem: “This isn’t just about one person — it’s about how racism, intimidation and hate still walk freely on our streets.”
The video of the encounter has gone viral, drawing widespread outrage and support, with many praising Verma for remaining composed under extreme stress. A user wrote, “Sorry you had to deal with this hope you’re okay, hopefully something is done about your report because she seems like she’s a danger to people and probably herself.”
Another user commented, “God Ireland is such a joke right now. It seems like blatant racism against South Asians is especially rampant. Good on you for standing up to her and pointing out the hypocrisy of how many Irish people are congratulated on making the brave move to places like Australia, yet they never see the irony of that.”
A third person commented, “I think she needs some good sleep to recover her mental health.” A fourth individual added, “She is unhinged! Like you said you are working here, paying taxes and created a life for yourself, you are welcome in Ireland! Just like the Irish has been welcomed in America, Australia and other countries over the decades. Your race, religion or creed makes no difference you are a human like the rest of us and deserved to be treated as such so sorry you had to endure this.”
