Garda probe claims three gay men were hunted by gang with knives in Phoenix Park

Gardaí are investigating claims three gay men were “hunted” by a gang with knives in Dublin’s Phoenix Park.

The men allege they were chased for nearly an hour by a group of six men who addressed them with “gay slurs” in a shocking incident in the park on Monday.

Taking to social media, one of the men said: “All my LGBT friends please avoid the Phoenix Park. Me and my two friends were literally hunted in the park for over an hour by a car full of men who literally jumped out of the car leaving all doors open and proceeded to chase us with knives, addressing us with gay slurs.

“We hid in three ditches before we made it to an exit which took over an hour because they were driving around the park looking for us. This happening in 2024? If we didn’t run or hide God knows what would have happened.”

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The incident was also raised in the Seanad by Fine Gael senator Barry Ward, who said this occurring in 2024 simply isn’t good enough.

“Yesterday, I received a report from (a man) who was in the Phoenix Park with two of his friends. They were chased down, or, as he said, “hunted” by six men with knives.

“(He) and his friends got away from their pursuers but God knows what would have happened if they had not. Apparently, the Phoenix Park is not safe for people.”

“These guys were just walking through the park and were chased by six men,” he added.

“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?”

“What is going on that we are not tackling this? What is going on that we do not have Gardaí in the park? I ask because when the three friends went to the Gardaí about it, they were told there was no CCTV and they could not identify the crowd. That is not good enough. There needs to be patrols in the Phoenix Park to protect people,” he continued.

Mr Ward went on to suggest that park rangers or another Garda presence in Phoenix Park may be needed.

“We should have a debate on the steps we need to take to protect everyone, equally,” he said.

Contacted about the issue, the Garda press office said it was aware of it and was awaiting a report from local Gardaí.

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