Vandals paint swastika on Dublin synagogue
Gardai launch investigation into apparent antisemitic vandalism
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A swastika was painted on a Dublin synagogue, prompting police in the Irish capital to open an investigation.
Vandals daubed the graffiti on the outer wall of Terenure synagogue, in the southern suburb of the Irish capital.
Gardai said officers were investigating an “alleged criminal damage incident” on Saturday.
A spokeswoman: “No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing.”
Staff at the synagogue said they were hoping the incident was drunken vandalism rather than a targeted antisemitic attack.
“There was nothing leading up to this. It doesn’t seem to be part of a pattern so we’re hoping it’s just a drunk fool,” a worker told The Irish Times.
The graffiti has since been removed.
Last month a security guard at the synagogue was assaulted, but his attacker reportedly had mental health issues and was not targeting the place of worship specifically.
The Terenure synagogue has previously been targeted with antisemitic graffiti.
In 2005, a 40-year-old man was jailed for 20 months after being caught spray-painting a swastika near the building’s entrance. He had also vandalised two other Jewish buildings the same night.
Ireland has few specific laws to deal with hate crimes, something the country’s government has been urged to rectify.
The rarely used Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act has resulted in just five convictions in 30 years.
Earlier this year, justice and equality minister Charlie Flanagan said the provisions of the act would be reviewed to ensure “racism, homophobia and all forms of discrimination are not tolerated”.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments