Shocking video shows attempted illegal eviction of immigrant doctor

A disturbing video has shown a landlord illegally attempting to force entry into a property yesterday afternoon with an electric saw.

Dr Muhammad Raheel along with his wife and young children (aged one and three) were left terrified following the incident, which was recorded via Dr Raheel's phone and posted on Twitter by Dr Riqa Ur Rehman.

"Our community is hugely disappointed and saddened by this attitude of local gardai. If anything happens to him and his family, situation might get out of control. Authorities must take action, before it's too late," Dr Rehman stated after the shocking incident, which was ignored by local police.

The landlord can be heard saying to the tenant: "I'll split you up. I have Quran in my car to burn. I don't care about your family".

Absolutely disgraceful!
"I'll split you up. I have Quran in my car to burn. I don't care about your family"

An immigrant doctor with a family of two young kids, was brutally attacked by his landlord threatened to evict his house. His and his family's life is in severe danger 1/2 pic.twitter.com/SY0k5rPxlT

— Dr Liqa Ur Rehman🇵🇰 🇮🇪 🇳🇿 (@LiqaDr) April 17, 2023

Dr Raheel spoke to the Echo Chamber podcast yesterday, having lived at the property three years and nine months. Since last August, he has been paying rent to his landlord and the money was allegedly bouncing back. According to Dr Raheel, the landlord came to his house with a locksmith while he was working at the hospital.

While on the way home, Dr Raheel called the Gardaí to report a break-in. His two children and wife were inside the house while the locksmith was breaking the door, unaware that the family were present. According to the doctor, no notice to quit was issued to the family.

Two weeks later, the landlord came to the house (on April 17th), threatening Dr Raheel with an electric saw and shouting racial abuse.

Dr Raheel claims the landlord was out of the country for months while his rent payments were bouncing. He has consulted his solicitor and is taking action for harassment, with his solicitor advising him not to pay as it is now a legal matter.

"That was the most shocking part. I really like Ireland, I've been staying here for six years," he told podcast hosts Tony Groves and Martin McMahon. "My opinion has changed today. Two guards came, I live just behind the station. When I called them to say someone was breaking my door, they are supposed to tell you to find safety, or stay inside. Instead, they said, 'Oh, you owe that landlord money'. I said, 'I don't know what you are talking about, did he seek permission from you to break into the door?'."

Dr Raheel later went to the garda station to report the attack on his apartment, with a member of the Gardaí stating that the matter is civil, not criminal. They did not take a statement or report for the crime. According to the Echo Chamber podcast, the Gardaí have since apologised for their inaction.

The Gardaí have apologised to Raheel and his family, and while this is welcome it certainly doesn’t address the concerns raised in full nor does it tally with recent AGS statements on their role in “keeping the peace” at evictions. https://t.co/86vUSnp8aF

— Tony - Pod Guy - Groves (@Trickstersworld) April 18, 2023

For more information on tenants' rights, visit catuireland.ie.