Three gay men ‘hunted down’ by gang of six armed with knives in Dublin’s Phoenix Park

He said: “Yesterday, I received a report from Jamie Robertson who was in Phoenix Park with two of his friends. They were chased down and, as he said, ‘hunted’ by six men with knives.

Jamie 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.

Mr Ward asked: “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?”

Highlighting the fact that the incident took place during Pride Month and ahead of Dublin Pride on June 29, the senator said that, as a country, we have come so far with the passing of the marriage equality referendum “and yet we also know that there are people in this country who do not acknowledge or accept it”.

Mr Ward questioned the lack of a strong garda presence in the park and told the Seanad that when the three friends had gone to report the incident they were told that there was no CCTV.

“There needs to be at least 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 because attacks are absolutely unacceptable, and particularly in this month.

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. 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,” she said.

Ms O’Loughlin congratulated Councillor Mick Cahill who organised the first Longford Pride parade last Saturday adding that “we need to see more of that, of people standing up and being counted”.

She agreed that there should be a full debate on the matter in the Seanad.

Mr Ward added that there attacks on people because of their sexuality happens “far too regularly”.

He said: “I think of people like Declan Flynn who was murdered in Fairview. I think of people like Michael Snee and Aidan Moffitt.

“I think of Marcin Malinowski who is an engineer who was beaten senseless as he cycled on his way home simply because the people who attacked him wanted to “kill the faggot”. Those people are still out there.”

Gardaí said they are “aware of an incident alleged to have occurred in the Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 on Monday night” but that following a lengthy patrol of the area, “no person made any formal report to An Garda Síochána”.

They appealed to anyone with direct knowledge or who has been a victim of such an incident in the area to contact 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,” a statement said.