Pricks Out Of Our Park – Sunday 2nd July – 2pm

This week, three gay men were “hunted” by six men with knives in Phoenix Park. This happened because of their sexuality, the Seanad heard. Speaking on the attack, Senator Barry Ward has asked: “What on earth is going on that this still happens in Ireland in 2024 when every right-thinking member of society recognises the normality of sexual relationships between people of the same gender or same sex?”

Across the country this month, we’ve seen flags celebrating pride flying outside businesses and over government buildings. Acts of solidarity such as this are rendered utterly futile while members of the LGBTQ+ community still feel unsafe and face horrific violent hate crimes which are not being tackled. Reportedly, when the three men went to the Guards about the incident, they were informed that there was not enough CCTV so the attackers could not be identified.

In response to the horrific attack, activists have organised a gathering in solidarity with the queer community titled “Pricks Out of Our Park”. The event will take place at the concrete shelter in The People’s Garden in Phoenix Park. The post initially shared by @bullhorris via Instagram states, “We must stand together and send a clear message of solidarity.”

“The pride flag that hangs above the river Liffey, wrap shop fronts, hang in your workplace and across the country mean little while queer people continue to face ongoing hate and violence. They mean less if our community meets incidents like this with silence during pride month.”

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