Gardaí investigating Navan school assault as hate crime

The attack on a 14-year-old in Meath has been widely condemned by members of the government, with a spokesperson from the Garda Community Engagement Offices confirming the assault was being investigated as a hate crime.

As well as asking anyone with information to come forward, Gardai have urged people to stop sharing the video depicting the assault, which now has over 5 million views.

Minister for Justice, Simon Harris, has since met with the boy’s family. A spokesperson for the Minister said that he "shared his horror at the very brutal attack the young man endured". The minister called it a “coordinated attack” that was “unacceptable” and “should not happen to any person,” the spokeswoman added.

The attack on the male student, which took place on Monday afternoon, was filmed and shared across social media. The Meath teenager was hospitalised after being left with a concussion, broken teeth, and a shoe print on his forehead.

He was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes hospital in Drogheda, where he was treated for serious facial injuries.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar yesterday condemned the assault: “It looks to me like somebody was targeted because they’re different and they were humiliated and physically assaulted. I think everyone would condemn it utterly. I understand there is a Garda investigation underway.”

In a video widely circulated on social media, the victim can be seen receiving punches to the body and face from multiple students, who continue to hit him while he is on the ground. The student was apparently just metres away from a family member’s house, to where he was attempting to crawl as the assailants continued to strike him.

Senator Mary Seery-Kearney called the attack a “sickening display of violence and humiliation”.

“I can’t remember the last time I have seen anything so distressing,” said Senator Seery-Kearney. She continued: “The perpetrators of these criminal acts must be dealt with and a clear message needs to be sent from the Board of Management at the school, the Gardaí and parents, that these shameful, cowardly and utterly disgusting acts will not be tolerated and will be punished.”

“As legislators, the onus is also on us to ensure that our children are protected from all types of abuse, and we have seen the ugly side of social media with this – this needs to be stamped out urgently”, the Senator added.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone with information on this attack to contact Navan Garda Station on 046-9036100.

You can contact the LGBT Helpline by freephone 1800 929 539.