LGBT Ireland is shocked by the heinous crimes perpetrated in Sligo resulting in the deaths of two men.  An Garda Síochána have indicated they are investigating the possibility of a hate related motive.

Paula Fagan, CEO of LGBT Ireland said “This has been a dark week for the LGBTI+ community in Ireland. We are still reeling from the vicious homophobic assault on Dame Street in Dublin in recent days and, now, we are deeply saddened by events in Sligo. Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones. These devastating crimes bring to the fore the need for comprehensive Hate Crime legislation, and I – along with other sectoral representatives – will be speaking with lawmakers over the coming days to stress the need for them to redouble their efforts and ensure the forthcoming legislation is effective, comprehensive and enacted with urgency. The LGBTI+ Community has the right to feel and be safe on our streets, and online.”

Ms Fagan added “The focus of recent events must remain firmly on the perpetrators of violence against LGBTI+ people. These crimes are on the extreme end of a spectrum of violence experienced by the LGBTI+ community and highlight the vulnerabilities and very real fears of the wider community.

In 2021 our National LGBT Helpline received 21 calls because of violence, and we fear that many more people do not report hate incidents to us or to the Gardaí, due to the normalisation of homophobia and transphobia in society. Work done by the Hate and Hostility Research Group at the University of Limerick in 2019, revealed that 1 in 5 of those surveyed had been punched, hit or physically attacked in public for being LGBTI+ and 1 in 3 had been threatened with physical violence. These statistics are stark reminder of the violence that our community still face”.

“We know that the events in Sligo and Dublin over the past week will have left members of the LGBTI+ community reeling. Our Helpline is available to all those in need of support.”

The National LGBT Helpline is available for emotional support on freephone 1800 929 539, 7 days a week, from 6.30pm to 10pm Mon – Thurs, from 4pm to 10pm Fridays, and from 4pm to 6pm on Sat & Sun.

LGBT Ireland also appealed for the general public to assist An Garda Síochána with their enquiries and investigation. Any person with information or concerns can contact their local Garda Station. Members of the Garda National Diversity and Integration Unit are also on standby to assist at 01-6663150.


Garda Diversity Officers contact list:

https://www.garda.ie/en/crime-prevention/community-engagement/community-engagement-offices/garda-national-diversity-integration-unit/garda-diversity-officers-list-january-2022.pdf


Report Hate Crime here:

https://www.garda.ie/en/reportahatecrime/


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