Sligo Pride urge LGBTQ community to take extra safety precautions following hate crimes

Sligo Pride has called for members of the LGBTQ community to take extra precautions following suspicious murders of two men in the county, as well as a vicious homophobic attack in Dublin last weekend.

41-year-old auctioneer and Fine Gael branch chair Aidan Moffitt was found in the Cartron area of Sligo town on Monday night with catastrophic injuries to the head and torso.

Gardaí are investigating whether there is a homophobic hate-related motive to the murder, and whether Aidan met his attacker online.

A second violent death occurred in Sligo town in a 24-hour period, raising concerns within the community.

At 10.30pm yesterday, gardaí were called to an apartment at Connaughton Road, where the mutilated body was found. At around 1.45am a man aged in his early 20s was arrested in Sligo town on suspicion of murder.

TW: Three extreme hate crimes within a week. I would encourage anyone in the LGBTQI community to contact Gardaí if they have been attacked* or have information after reviewing the below options.

You can contact Sligo Gardaí on 071-9157000 or the Garda LGBTQI contacts below. https://t.co/vXbYq0tgI6

— Dr Robert Bohan Artist (@RobertBohan) April 13, 2022

Last weekend in Dublin, a savage homophobic attach left a young man hospitalised.

23-year-old rugby player Evan Somers said he suffered a broken eye socket and two fractures to his ankle after he left a club near Dame Street in the city centre early on Sunday morning. Somers is a member of the Emerald Warriors RFC, Ireland’s first LGBT+ inclusive rugby team.

Evan said he was attacked on Saturday night after a “stranger called me a fa***t before beating the shit out of me. He left me with a fractured eye socket, 2 fractures in my ankle, a dislocation in my ankle & some other minor injuries.

Last night a stranger called me a faggot before beating the shit out of me. He left me with a fractured eye socket, 2 fractures in my ankle, a dislocation in my ankle & some other minor injuries. We’ve come a long way but still have such a long way to go in terms of equality. pic.twitter.com/aAA8OQ83QY

— Evan (@ebintosh) April 10, 2022

“We’ve come a long way but still have such a long way to go in terms of equality,” Evan said. “Genuinely didn’t share this for attention, I felt like it needed to be seen instead of hidden away because this is the reality of what so many LGBTQ+ people go through regularly and if it makes you uncomfortable, maybe it should.

“For those wondering where this happened, it was on Dame Street in Dublin not too far away from Gay Spar/The George and it was about 3.30am.”

Gardaí have said they are investigating all the circumstances surrounding the assault, “including any hate related motivation”.

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, Justice Minister Helen McEntee, Leinster Rugby and singer Boy George were among those to condemn the assault on Evan, with the Tánaiste saying he was “appalled” by the attack.

In a post on Twitter, he said: “Shocked and appalled that an assault of this natured occurred in our capital city. Will discuss with Helen McEntee re Garda presence on our street and new hate crime laws. Sorry about what happened. Wishing you a swift recovery.”

In response to both crimes, Sligo Pride have since urged the LGBTQ community heading to the Rainbow Ball event in Clayton Hotel Sligo to take extra precautions.

"Following recent events in both Dublin and Sligo, we are urging members of our community to take extra precautions, especially if attending Pink Friday in @swagmanbarsligo this Friday or our Rainbow Ball event in @claytonsligo next Saturday. If at all possible, do not walk home alone. If you cannot afford a taxi, please let a friend know when you have left a venue and when you've gotten home.

Following recent events in both Dublin and Sligo, we are urging members of our community to take extra precautions, especially if attending Pink Friday in @swagmanbarsligo this Friday or our Rainbow Ball event in @claytonsligo next Saturday.
1/ pic.twitter.com/rOh46jifdq

— Sligo Pride (@sligopride) April 13, 2022

"If you are meeting someone online in person for the first time, give a trusted friend as much information on this other person as you can and let your friend know where you are. We understand the worries and concerns at this time. We are looking into security for the Rainbow Ball as a precaution."

“What happened is unspeakable and hard to fathom,” Varadkar said on Twitter of Moffitt's killing, adding that he was ”concerned about the possible motive” for the attacks.

Deeply troubled to read about the two suspected murders in Sligo including that of @FineGael activist Aidan Moffitt. Thinking of his family & friends. What happened is unspeakable and hard to fathom. Concerned about the possible motive of the attacker. RIP

— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) April 13, 2022

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that he was “deeply concerned” by Aidan’s “horrific” killing, and of reports this morning of another violent death in Sligo.

“I urge anyone with any information to contact Gardaí,” he said.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee said she had spoken to Garda Commissioner Drew Harris about both deaths, which she called “appalling crimes”.

Gardaí “will support the people of Sligo and I urge anyone with information to report it”.

Investigating Gardaí can be contacted at Sligo Garda Station at 071 9157088, the Garda Confidential Line phone number 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.