June 19th 2024.
Senator Barry Ward expressed his relief and concern for the safety of three gay men who narrowly escaped a terrifying ordeal in Dublin's Phoenix Park. The park, known as the largest in any capital city in Europe, was the setting for a horrifying event in which the men were chased by six armed individuals.
In a statement to Ireland's Seanad, Ward, a Fine Gael Senator, shared the news after being contacted by one of the victims. He recounted the victim's words, stating that the men were "chased down and, as he said, 'hunted' by six men with knives." Ward also expressed his fear of what could have happened if the men had not managed to escape their attackers.
However, Ward also expressed his disappointment in the response of the police. When the victims went to report the incident, they were informed that there was no CCTV footage available to identify the attackers. Ward emphasized that this was not acceptable and called for further education and protection for those visiting the park.
The Phoenix Park, known as the largest enclosed city park in Europe, is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. However, the recent incident has raised concerns about the safety of those who visit the park. In response, An Garda Síochána, Ireland's police force, released a statement appealing to anyone with information or who may have been a victim of a similar incident in the area to come forward. They also reached out to LGBTQIA+ advocacy groups for support and guidance.
Ward expressed his frustration and disbelief that such an attack could still occur in Ireland in 2024. He questioned how this could happen in a society where the normality of same-gender relationships is widely recognized. Ireland has come a long way in terms of LGBT+ rights, legalizing homosexuality in 1993 and passing legislation for same-sex marriage and adoption in 2015.
However, despite these advancements, Ireland has seen a resurgence of violent homophobia in recent years. In 2022, a lesbian couple was assaulted by a 15-year-old boy after showing affection in public. That same year, two gay men were brutally murdered due to prejudice and hostility towards the LGBTQ+ community. Even high-profile figures, such as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, have faced discrimination and homophobic slurs.
The Taoiseach, who became Ireland's first openly gay government minister in 2017, has expressed concern about the increase in violence towards the LGBTQ+ community. He worries that it is becoming acceptable to be homophobic or transphobic again, and he calls for society to address and combat these issues. Varadkar's sentiments are echoed by many, as Ireland continues to strive towards equality and acceptance for all.
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