A young man who was attacked as he left a gay bar in Dublin at the weekend remains in a coma and may not survive the assault, the Dáil was told.
Labour's justice spokesman Joe Costello told the House that a gang set upon the man at about 1am on Sunday morning after he left a gay bar near the city centre. He was viciously beaten, thrown over a railing into St Audeon's Park and left for dead. He was found at 9am and taken to hospital where he was still in a coma.
"He had been assaulted a week previously and robbed by a group who were identified as gay bashers," the Dublin Central TD said. "We do not know the outcome of this young man's condition, which may yet end in absolute tragedy. Whatever happens, he will never be fully healthy again."
Mr Costello said that people who commit homophobic crimes seem to be able to operate with impunity and he claimed that while gardaí were aware of regular attacks against people leaving gay premises there was no significant patrolling to protect them.
Minister of State for Health Seán Power said Garda management was satisfied that areas frequented by members of the gay community were adequately policed. Speaking for the Minister for Justice, Mr Power said he shared his concern about attacks on minority members of the population.
"The policing requirements in these areas are reviewed on an ongoing basis so as to enable a response to any particular eventuality should the need arise." The Minister "will not tolerate any attacks on minority members of society", Mr Power said.
Mr Costello said people leaving gay premises "are regularly attacked by groups at a certain distance from the establishments, where there are no CCTV cameras or lights".
"The people in question are either afraid to report, they are embarrassed to report or they do not believe that anything will be done about it," Mr Costello said.
Calling for significant action to be taken on the issue, he said there was a need for minority specialist liaison officers because "all minorities are subject to being targeted by certain hit groups".
"Gardaí are aware that this is happening . . . yet there is no significant patrolling to protect the people who are frequenting these establishments and who may be on their way home."
Mr Power said the Garda Síochána had established a racial and intercultural office, 145 ethnic liaison gardaí had been appointed and training methods had been developed for policing a more diverse society.
