Sinn Féin condemns hoax bomb sent to Dublin gay rights charity
The chair of Sinn Féin’s LGBT group has spoken out after a fake toxic substance was sent to a pro-gay charity in Dublin.
Bomb disposal and hazmat experts shut down an area in central Dublin this afternoon, when GLEN (Gay and Lesbian Equality Network) alerted police after they received a potentially deadly package.
Staff opened a package to find a blue powder, with a note that read ‘goodbye’.
The substance was later found to be non-toxic by a bomb disposal squad – but only after a large-scale response from the emergency services, closing off the local area.
GLEN is one of Ireland’s largest gay rights groups, and was instrumental in calling for a ‘Yes’ vote in last month’s same-sex marriage referendum.
Sinn Féin councillor and chair of its LGBT group Chris Curran said: “Irish people resoundingly supported LGBT rights in the referendum last month and this type of incident has no place in our society.
“I call on the Gardaí to fully investigate this threat and to take the necessary precautions to ensure that the Pride Parade and associated celebrations go ahead without further incident.”
Tiernan Brady said earlier: “The intent was to terrorise – no matter what was in the envelope.
“We’ve never had this before and the goal was to scare us and inflict terror.”
