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06 Dec 2025
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06 Dec 2025
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Utsav Midland Indian Fest celebration in Portlaoise GAA grounds in 2025.
Portlaoise GAA Club's chairperson has spoken out in support of the Indian community in the wake of spate of recent violent attacks around Ireland.
Eamon Fennelly chairs the Laios GAA club which hosts the annual Utsav Midland Indian Fest at its grounds in Portlaoise in recent years. The event drew thousands to Portlaoise GAA club grounds in Rathleague.
Mr Fennelly commented to the Leinster Express/ Laois Live following incidents around Ireland, which led to the Indian community cancelling an India Day celebration in Farmleigh.
"It's disappointing for most Irish people to see other nationalities being targeted and discriminated against in this way. With our history as a country, of emigration and creating a new life elsewhere, you'd think we would be welcoming and understanding. There is a lot of anger out there over the price and availability of housing in particular - but that's hardly the fault of the Indian community.
"They contribute largely to our society through their hard work and professionalism. Without their contribution to our health sector, as one example, the care and attention we give to our most vulnerable would be significantly inferior.
"We opened our grounds to the Indian community in recent years in the spirit of community and inclusion, to provide them with a venue to get together and celebrate the pride they have in their heritage as well as the pride they all have in living in their adopted country of Ireland. This is what the Irish always did in America, UK, Australia etc. MORE BELOW PICTURE.
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Utsav Midland Indian Fest celebration in Rathleague in 2025.
"We found them to be hardworking, good-humoured, honest, and so respectful of others. I think we Irish are known globally for the same traits. They left our grounds in the same condition it was handed to them, and that involved a lot of hard work by their committee.
"As a GAA club we steer clear of political issues - we are a sporting club, and we are a community-based club - everybody is welcome in our home," he concluded.
READ ALSO: Laois rents surge in rocketing rental market report from daft.ie
President Michael D Higgins has condemned the "despicable attacks" on members of the Indian community.
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