Gardai investigate after senior Muslim cleric injured in ‘hate crime attack’

GARDAI are continuing to investigate an alleged assault on a senior Muslim cleric in the Tallaght area last Thursday. 

Chairman of the Irish Muslim Council, Shaykh Dr Umar al-Qadri said he made an arrangement to meet two people in the area but was instead assaulted in what he believes was a planned attack. 

Posting on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday evening, Shaykh al-Qadri wrote: “I have experienced a deliberate hate crime attack in Tallaght a few hours ago.

“It appears that this was a planned attack, as I met two Irish individuals who had arranged a meeting in Tallaght.

“The next thing I remember is feeling disoriented in my car, surrounded by helpful Irish neighbours of the area I was visiting, as the gardai and ambulance arrived.

Shaykh al-Qadri was hospitalised after the incident (Image: Islamic Centre of Ireland)

“I was injured and had lost consciousness, but my mobile phone was still with me, allowing me to contact my friends who arrived within 15 minutes. They took me to the hospital where I stayed overnight.”

He added: “Having lived in Ireland for 21 years, this has never happened to me.

“This incident doesn’t change the fact that I deeply appreciate and cherish Ireland and its people.”

Shaykh al-Qadri, who reported severe swelling to the left side of his face and damage to his front teeth, posted on Sunday that he was feeling much better.

Following the incident, people are gathering at 6pm this Monday, February 19, outside Rua Red in Tallaght. 

According to local People Before Profit TD, Paul Murphy, the gathering is to show that Tallaght says no to racist violence.

On his X account, Deputy Murphy said: “Fair play to the people who intervened to stop this attack.

“They show everything that Tallaght is about – looking out for each other”.

When contacted by The Echo, gardai said that investigations are ongoing.