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| Press Release: Justice 3 October 2005 Links to: All Press Releases 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 Dún Laoghaire, Environment and Justice Press Releases
3 October 2005
Green Party calls for Taskforce to tackle violence against gay people The
Green Party has called for the setting up of a Government Taskforce to tackle
violent crimes against gay people in light of recent incidents in Dublin. The
call comes after a march through the centre of Dublin highlighted violence
against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Green
Party Justice spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe TD attended today's march from
the George Pub on South Great Georges Street to the Four Courts, where a person
appeared in court in connection with a recent incident close to the George Pub
in Dublin's city centre Research*
by Superintendent McGowan of the Garda Community Relations Unit indicates that
many of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community have been
assaulted, and the majority of these crimes were not reported to An Garda Síochána. Deputy
Cuffe said today that, "We already have a Taskforce on Violence against Women
that has been successful in raising awareness around that issue. What we now
need is a Government initiative that would address the threats that face the
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community on our streets. "While
such a taskforce might initially address the issue of Garda resources and
actions, I believe it should also address the need for greater education and
awareness. This violence is blatant homophobia, and must be tacked at all stages
of the education cycle. "The
launch earlier this summer by Garda Deputy Commissioner Peter Fitzgerald of a
range of leaflets, posters and advertisements - produced in collaboration with
the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community has been a useful
initiative. However, in the short term we need better policing around the venues
that are the focus for such crime. In the longer term we need concerted action
from the Department of Education and Justice. "The
setting up of a taskforce would concentrate minds, and be a useful step in
tackling this issue," concluded Deputy Cuffe. *www.Glen.ie
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