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23rd June 2024
04:25pm BST
A teenager has been arrested and is due in court following a homophobic attack that occurred in Dublin's Phoenix Park last week.
Fine Gael Senator Barry Ward described the attack to the Seanad on Wednesday, saying that three gay men were "hunted" in the park by a group of men with knives during the evening of Monday, June 17.
According to the Gardaí, the teen was arrested in connection to "incidents of violent disorder".
Mr Ward called for garda patrols in the park and said that when the victims contacted gardaí "they were told there was no CCTV and they could not identify the crowd".
In a statement to JOE on Sunday afternoon, a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said: "Yesterday, Saturday 22nd June 2024, Gardaí arrested a man in connection to incidents of violent disorder reported to have taken place in the Phoenix Park on Monday, 17th June 2024.
"On the night of Monday 17th June, 2024 at approximately 11:30pm, Gardaí received an anonymous call relating to an incident in the Phoenix Park and attended.
"A search of the area was conducted and no persons made themselves known to Gardaí.
"Following on from further enquiries, Gardaí identified a suspect.
"The man, aged in his late teens, was arrested on suspicion of committing an offence contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act, 1997 and detained at a Garda Station in North Dublin.
"He has been charged and will appear before the CCJ tomorrow morning, Monday 24th June 2024.
"Investigations are ongoing.
"An Garda Síochána takes any crime or incident, with a hate motivation, seriously, and incidents reported to us are professionally investigated.
"An Garda Síochána appeals to anyone with direct knowledge or who has been a victim of such an incident in the area to contact An Garda Síochána either at 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"
Gardaí also said that they have been in contact with LGBTQIA+ advocacy groups since the incident was reported.
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