'Deliberate hate crime' leaves leading Muslim cleric in hospital in Dublin

As a result of the incident, Shaykh Al-Qadri said the left side of his face is severely swollen and his front teeth have been damaged

Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri was hospitalised folowing the incident and had to undergo a CT scan. File picture: Mark Stedman

Gardaí have launched an investigation after a leading Irish Muslim cleric said that he was the victim of a hate crime in Dublin.

Founder and chairperson of the Irish Muslim Council Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri said the incident happened in Tallaght on Thursday evening. As a result of the incident, Shaykh Al-Qadri said that he was hospitalised and had to undergo a CT scan.