GARDAÍ ARE INVESTIGATING after a 13-year-old boy was attacked in Tuam while returning home from school last month.

The attack happened on Shop Street in the Co Galway town on 16 October.

The incident was recorded and the footage has been widely shared online. 

Two individuals – apparently older male teenagers – can be seen taunting and physically attacking the younger boy, hitting him in the face multiple times.

The boy, who is from the Bangladeshi community in the area, sustained bruising and damage to his jaw, his family said. 

He was later taken to hospital for treatment.

Speaking to The Journal, the boy’s father condemned the “violent” attack on his son, adding that his family “do not feel safe” following the incident. 

“We want to feel safe, and Ireland has been great for us, but I just want my son and all children to be able to safely go to and from school,” he said. 

He added that his son has returned to his lessons and that the school “is acting on this” and providing counselling.

A meeting was held in Tuam last week to discuss the impact of the attack on the Bangladeshi community in the area. 

Galway Fine Gael TDs Pete Roche and Hildegarde Naughton attended the event, as did a a number of local councillors, gardaí and roughly 80 members of the wider Bangladeshi community, including the boy’s family. 

Roche, who organised the meeting, described the family as “absolutely brilliant people”.

“It’s just awful. I’ve seen the video myself and it’s shocking stuff,” Roche said.

In a statement this morning, gardaí confirmed investigations into the attack were ongoing. 

A spokesperson said the force received a report of an alleged assault in Tuam on the date in question. Two teenage boys have been referred to the Youth Diversion Programme as a result, the statement added.

Under the Children Act 2001, a young person who comes to the attention of An Garda Síochána because of alleged criminal behaviour is required by law to be considered for the diversion programme.

Children dealt with through the programme are appointed a Juvenile Liaison Officer and have an action plan drawn up to prevent them from committing further offences and entering the criminal justice system as an adult.

A referral to the Youth Diversion Programme does not preclude criminal charges also being brought where it’s suspected serious crimes have been committed.