LAST UPDATE | 19 Jun

THREE GAY MEN were “hunted” by a group of men armed with knives in Dublin’s Phoenix Park earlier this week, the Seanad has been told. 

Fine Gael Senator Barry Ward said one of the men contacted him about the alleged incident yesterday. 

He said he told him that he had been in the park with two of his friends when they were approached. 

“They were chased down and, as he said, “hunted” by six men with knives,” Ward said. He said the three men got away “but God knows what would have happened if they had not”. 

He continued: “What on earth is going on that this still happens in Ireland in 2024, when every right-thinking member of society recognised the normality of sexual relationships between people of the same gender or same sex?”.

Ward questioned why incidents like this were not being tackled.

“I ask because when the three friends went to the guards about it, they were told that there was no CCTV so they could not identify the crowd. That is not good enough,” he said, adding that there needs to be patrols in Phoenix Park to protect people.

“If needs be, there needs to be further education for the park rangers or for other Garda presence in Phoenix Park to protect people,” he said.

Ward called for a debate on the steps that we need to take to protect everyone equally. 

Referencing Pride Month, which is this month, he said: “We have come so far as a country in acknowledging the special nature of people who have pride in their sexuality and are showing that to us.

“We have acknowledged their right to equal access to marriage and other things in this country.

It feels like we have come so far and yet we also know that there are people in this country who do no acknowledge or accept it.

Acting Seanad leader Fiona O’Loughlin described the incident as “shocking”. 

“We have changed our legislation. Unfortunately, there are people who have not changed their minds and hearts,” the Fianna Fáil Senator said.

“That is what we need to work on and that is why Pride is so important, so we can celebrate and empower those in the LGBT community.”

O’Loughlin also expressed concern that some councillors who were elected in the local elections last week “hold many beliefs in the LGBT area”.

“I have seen evidence of one such councillor certainly being homophobic and calling people names I will not repeat in this House,” she said.

“We have a big task in society and we have to do what we can. The Senator is right that we need a debate. We should have it during Pride Month.”

Garda appeal

In a statement to The Journal, a garda spokesperson confirmed that Gardaí were aware of the alleged incident.

The spokesperson said Gardaí responded at 11.35pm on Monday, “but following a lengthy patrol of the area, no person made any formal report to An Garda Síochána”.

“An Garda Síochána appeals to anyone with direct knowledge or who has been a victim of such an incident in the area to contact An Garda Síochána either at Cabra Garda Station on 01 666 7400, the Diversity Unit at the Garda National Community Engagement Bureau on 01 666 3150 or through an advocacy group.

“Following the reports of this alleged incident, An Garda Síochána through the Garda National Community Engagement Bureau and Community Policing Unit in Cabra Garda Station have been in contact with LGBTQIA+ advocacy groups,” the spokesperson said.