Teenager arrested following alleged homophobic attack in Phoenix Park in Dublin

A MAN has been arrested and charged following an incident in Phoenix Park in which three gay men were “chased” by a knife-wielding gang.

The incident reportedly happened on Monday when Fine Gael senator Barry Ward explained how one of the victims spoke to him about the incident.

One of the men targeted because of their sexuality told Ward he was walking through Phoenix Park with two of his friends when they were approached by a group of six men.

Ward told the Seanad: “They were chased and, as he put it, ‘hunted’ by six men armed with knives.

He added that the men managed to escape “but God knows what would have happened if they hadn't.”

Taking to social media, one of the men involved in the incident described it as “the most traumatic experience” he had ever seen.

Recalling the incident, he said it was still light when he and two friends decided to go for a walk in the park on Monday evening.

He wrote: “There are many conspiracies circulating about the truth of the story – why we were there and what we were doing.

“For context, this is how light it was when we came in and were walking around the park.”

While he said he would give a full account of what happened that night when he was more “mentally” ready, he wanted to dispel rumors circulating online.

He added: “I want to emphasize that these were Irish men. These were not “foreign people”.

“It’s easier for cowards to blame someone else.”

Gardaí have now arrested a man in connection with the incident and he is due to appear in court on Monday.

A Garda spokesperson said: “Yesterday, Saturday June 22, 2024, Gardaí arrested a man in connection with incidents of violent disorder which allegedly took place in Phoenix Park on Monday June 17, 2024.

“On the night of Monday June 17, 2024 at approximately 11:30 p.m., Gardaí received an anonymous call regarding an incident in Phoenix Park and attended the scene. A search of the area was carried out and no one came forward. of Gardaí.

“Following further inquiries, Gardaí have identified a suspect.

“The man, aged in his 20s, was arrested on suspicion of committing an offense under the Non-Fatal Offenses Against the Persons Act 1997 and detained at a Garda station in north of Dublin.

“He has been charged and will appear before the CCJ tomorrow morning, Monday June 24, 2024.

“Investigations are ongoing.

“The Garda Síochána takes any hate crime or incident seriously, and incidents reported to us are professionally investigated.

“An Garda Síochána is appealing to anyone with direct knowledge of 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 or at the National Office Diversity Unit Garda Community Engagement Center on 01. 666 3150 or via an advocacy group.

“Following reports of this alleged incident, An Garda Síochána, through the Garda National Community Engagement Office and the Community Policing Unit at Cabra Garda Station, has been in contact with LGBTQIA+ advocacy groups.”