The LGBTQI community in County Louth has expressed their deep shock and revulsion at the murders in Sligo of two men in the past couple of days and are to hold vigils in Drogheda and Dundalk tomorrow, Friday April 15.
Peter James Nugent of the Drogheda Pride and Drogheda LGBTQI Support Group told Drogheda Life that they are shocked and saddened by the brutal murders of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee.
“We send our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of these two men and to the LGBTQi community in Sligo with this awful tragedy” Mr. Nugent said.
He also announced that the Drogheda Pride & Drogheda LGBTQI support group will be hosting a public vigil in conjunction with other LGBT organisations around the country on Friday at 6pm at the Tholsel.
“We invite all members of the LGBTI+ community and wider community to join us” he said. “Again, our Thoughts are with the Families and friends of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee, R.I.P.
The Outcomers group has also expressed their shock and sadness at the brutal murders.
“We send our deepest sympathies to the family, loved ones, and friends of these men and to the LGBT community in Sligo as they try to come to terms with this awful tragedy” said Outcomers Manager, Bernardine Quinn.
“I would never have expected to have seen this news in our country in 2022, this is so hard to comprehend.
“We echo the words of Paula Fagan, CEO of LGBT Ireland asking for the progression of Hate Crime Legislation and to say that the violent attack on a gay man in Dame Street in Dublin last week, and of Transgender young person in Dundalk are all too frequent.
“Most importantly that the focus of these events must remain firmly on the perpetrators of this crime. As a community LGBTI+ people have the right to feel safe on our streets and the events of the last few days shows that this is not always the case.”
Outcomers will be hosting a public vigil in conjunction with other LGBT organisations around the country on Friday at 6pm at the Town Square in Dundalk and all members of the LGBTI+ community and wider community are invited to attend.
If you are a member of the LGBT community and you would like to speak to someone in confidence you can call the LGBT Helpline from 6:30 to 10pm every evening this week at 1800 929 539
Any person with information or concerns can contact their local Garda Station. Members of the Garda National Diversity and Integration Unit are also on standby to assist at 01-6663150.
