On a quiet Dublin street, what should have been an ordinary walk home turned into a deeply unsettling ordeal for Swati Verma, an Indian woman who has called Ireland home for years. The incident, which took place around 9 p.m. on October 8, 2025, has since ignited a national conversation about racism, belonging, and the lived experience of immigrants in Ireland.
According to BBC and News18, Verma was returning from her gym—just steps from her residence—when she was approached by a well-dressed woman wearing a Dublin City University (DCU) badge. Verma initially assumed the woman was lost and in need of directions. Instead, she found herself at the receiving end of a barrage of intrusive, racially charged questions. "Why did you come to Ireland? What are you doing here? Why don’t you go back to India?" the woman demanded, her tone shifting from inquisitive to hostile almost immediately.
Verma, startled and frightened, tried to remain calm. She later recounted on Instagram, "I never thought I’d have to justify my existence on a street I walk every day." The woman’s line of questioning quickly escalated, targeting Verma’s immigration status and her right to live in Ireland. At one point, the woman asked, "Do you have a work visa?" to which Verma replied, "Yes, I’m not here for free. I pay my taxes and contribute to the economy." The attacker retorted, "Biggest mistake you ever made… go back to India."
Part of the confrontation was captured on video, which Verma recorded on her phone. In the footage, the Irish woman can be heard saying, "Do you have any idea what you’re doing? You’re coming to Ireland, paying landlords fing money to live here." Verma, keeping her composure, responded, "And what should I be doing instead—just live on the road, in a tent?" The woman continued, "You’re giving them power, but I am the power, and I’m gonna f them over. I am the entity."
As the situation grew more tense, Verma began sending voice notes to her partner, who was still at the gym, alerting him to her distress. She also noted that the woman at times moved closer and even touched her, adding to the sense of threat. A passerby intervened, only to be met with similar aggression. "That’s when I realised she’s been doing this to others, targeting random people on the street," Verma wrote in her Instagram post. "Before I walked away, she screamed more hateful things like ‘I’ll f*** you all, 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."
Verma later described feeling "shaken" and "heartbroken" by the experience. "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 shared. She also reflected on the broader implications, writing, "This isn’t just about one person—it’s about how racism, intimidation and hate still walk freely on our streets."
Determined not to let the incident go unnoticed, Verma filed a complaint with Garda Síochána, Ireland’s national police and security service. As she explained, "I recorded, I reported, and I’m sharing because this shouldn’t happen to anyone." Her decision to share the video on Instagram was not for sympathy, she insisted, but to raise awareness and spark a conversation. "I still believe Ireland is home, but no one should ever have to defend their right to belong."
The video quickly went viral, drawing widespread outrage and support on social media. Many users condemned the racist behavior and commended Verma for her calm and dignity. "You gave her way more grace than she deserved," one commenter remarked. Another wrote, "I’m so sorry you experienced this. You never have to justify your existence to anyone. Hope you’re doing ok." Others noted the frequency of such incidents, with one user commenting, "‘Go back to India’ is their favorite line—if only I had a nickel for how many Irish I came across in Dubai, living and thriving!"
Some observers suggested that the attacker may have been struggling with mental health issues. One commenter noted, "I think she needs some good sleep to recover her mental health," while another speculated, "Ah, she’s not well, probably having some sort of manic episode. I wouldn’t pay too much attention to that. I hope she gets the help she needs." Verma herself acknowledged this possibility, but maintained that the incident reflected a deeper societal issue. "The attacker might have been mentally ill, but this is about how racism, intimidation and hate still walk freely on our streets."
In the days following the incident, the story was picked up by major news outlets and became a flashpoint for discussions about racism in Ireland. The Irish Times and other publications noted the rising number of reports of racist abuse, particularly targeting immigrants and people of color. While Ireland has long prided itself on its reputation for friendliness and hospitality, recent years have seen a rise in xenophobic incidents, mirroring trends seen elsewhere in Europe.
The response from the public has been mixed. While many have expressed solidarity with Verma and condemned the abuse, others have downplayed the incident or pointed to mental health as the primary factor. Still, for many immigrants and minorities living in Ireland, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges they continue to face—even in places they consider home.
Verma’s story, though deeply personal, has resonated with a much wider audience. Her calm in the face of hostility, her insistence on reporting the incident, and her refusal to be silent have made her a symbol of resilience for many. As she wrote in her Instagram caption, "Never thought I’d have to justify my existence on a street I walk every day… For a few moments, I froze. Then I realised silence only helps hate grow."
As the investigation by Garda Síochána continues, Verma’s experience has prompted calls for greater awareness, support, and action against racism in Ireland. For now, her story stands as a powerful reminder that the right to belong should never be up for debate—and that speaking out, even when it’s difficult, can help shine a light on the darker corners of society.