Gardai are treating a vicious attack on a young boy in south Dublin as a possible "racially motivated" hate crime.
The 15-year-old was beaten up and verbally abused on Monday last around 12.20pm in Eamonn Ceannt Park (Sundrive Park) in Crumlin.
Three adult men launched a physical and verbal attack on the youngster who was with a group of friends, leaving him injured and requiring treatment in hospital.
He was taken to Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin with non life-threatening injuries.
One of the boy's friends, a 14-year-old tried to intervene but was also physically and verbally assaulted by one of the men. He did not require treatment for his injuries.
No arrests have been made and Gardai are now seeking witnesses to the brutal attack.
A garda spokesperson revealed: "The three male suspects, aged in their early 20s, made their exit from Eamonn Ceannt Park (Sundrive Park) onto Sundrive Road on foot.
"One of the males was reported to be wearing a black jacket while the other two males were reported as wearing a dark grey jacket and a blue jacket."
Gardaí at Sundrive Road Garda Station are appealing for any witnesses, or for any person with any information on this incident to come forward.
They are also appealing for any individuals that may have camera footage of this incident to make this footage available to Gardaí and for any persons that were in the Sundrive Park/Sundrive Road area from 12:15pm to 12:30pm who may have observed the movements of the three male suspects to contact Gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Sundrive Road Garda Station on 01 6666 600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
