Thugs shouted ‘homophobic slurs’ between punches in brutal attack
Northern Irish police have launched an appeal after a man beaten in a ‘homophobic’ attack. (Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
Northern Irish police are appealing for witnesses after a man was beaten by a gang of men who hurled “homophobic slurs” at him.
In Enniskillen, a town in County Fermanagh, the victim was targeted by several men in the early hours last Sunday (14 November).
The victim, The Impartial Reporter reported, suffered countless blows to the head in the central Diamond neighbourhood.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland, the national law enforcement agency, launched a witness appeal on Friday.
“At approximately 3:30am, a man in his 20s was assaulted,” PSNI inspector Tate said, according to the newspaper.
“The victim said that they had been attacked by several males and received several punches to the head.
“The victim also had homophobic slurs shouted at him.
“Our inquiries are continuing and we are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the assault to contact police at 101, quoting reference number 349 14/11/21.
“Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111, or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.”
UK spirals into violence as anti-LGBT+ hate crimes soar
The UK has in recent years become gripped by an alarming surge in hate crimes – with anti-LGBT+ crimes driven by bigotry rising year on year.
In the last six years, the number of homophobic hate crimes in the UK has tripled. Transphobic hate crime reports have quadrupled over the last six years.
According to data obtained by Vice World News, there was a 210 per cent surge in anti-LGBT+ hate crime from 2014 to 2021 across the UK.
In 2014-15 – the year marriage equality became a reality – there were 6,363 reports of hate crimes based on sexual orientation.
But by 2020-21, there was a dizzying 210 per cent surge to 19,679.
Just 10 of UK’s 45 territorial law enforcement agencies recorded a decrease in hate crime. The vast majority had seen a year-on-year surge in reports since 2014.
But considering that 90 per cent of hate crimes against LGBT+ people go unreported, per government figures, activists warn that the true extent of the violence LGBT+ people face may never be grasped.
