A man in his 20s was kicked and headbutted on the bus.
Warning: this article contains graphic images.
Gardaí and Dublin Bus are investigating an alleged homophobic assault that occurred to a passenger on Sunday (14 August).
Mark Sheehan, a 26-year-old man, posted images and a description of the incident on Monday night (15 August).
https://twitter.com/TaiHusky_/status/1559298186275160066?s=20&t=V6_4VUSMVyAsI2UApXHDeA
“Last night, just before 4am, I was attacked on the 15 bus in Templeogue,” Sheehan tweeted.
“A group of young men sat behind me and proceeded to mock and jeer at my friends and I for the duration of the journey out of town.”
Sheehan described being called a number of homophobic slur while on the bus, when he turned and told the group to “act their age”.
This resulted in a member of the group kicking earphones out of Sheehan’s hands, following it up with a headbutt.
“Today will be spent recollecting the events with my friends who were onboard,” Sheehan said.
“I have some hazy memories from the headbutt and adrenaline. I want to recount every word said so we can understand how it possibly escalated to this.
“What I can say for sure is no one should be antagonized when clearly scared. No one should have to fend themselves when just trying to go home.
“I should not have been mocked, kicked and headbutted. Scumbags like that should not be let on in the first place…”
Dublin Bus confirmed that a complaint had been received, and that the incident was being “fully investigated”.
An Garda Síochána is also investigating the incident, saying that no arrest had been made at this time.
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses or for anyone with any information in relation to this assault to contact Tallaght Garda Station on 01 666 6000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
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