A VIGIL will be held in Market Square in Letterkenny this evening to mark the one month anniversary of the brutal murders of Michael Snee and Aidan Moffitt in Sligo.
The candle-lit event is being organised by the Donegal LGBTQ+ Committee to remember both men.
Speaking to the Donegal News, organiser Shauna Devenney, said it will be an opportunity to stand in solidarity in condemnation of LGBTQ+ based violence and in the call for stronger and more adequate hate crime laws in Ireland.
“The event is about gathering people together and showing support and solidarity as a county in Donegal,” she said.
“There has been a massive increase in violence against the LGBTQ+ community and we are calling for more appropriate hate crime laws.”
Aidan Moffitt (42) and Michael Snee (58) were murdered in their homes in Sligo town last month. It is believed they met their murderer through an online dating app.
Ms Devenney said many members of the LGBTQ+ community, who are not “out”, are afraid to report incidents of violence and hate crime and said there have been instances of people being beaten up and threatened.
Some members of the Donegal group have said they have been in a situation where they were not safe.
She said it is very difficult for members of the LGBTQ+ community to gauge what apps are safe and where is safe to meet up.
“For members of the community that are not out online dating apps are quite common. What people don’t realise is the person they are meeting might not be LGBTQ+ and they are there for a different purpose,” said Ms Devenney.
She feels there is an undercurrent of contempt for gay and bisexual men in society in general and said this needs to be looked at with education across society extremely important.
Donegal LGBTQ+ are a social support group that host social nights, have a walking group and have committee meetings.
They are currently recruiting new members for their committee and are encouraging anyone interested in getting involved to reach out by emailing donegallgbt@gmail.com or contacting 086 6063780.
Over the next year they hope to increase the group’s visibility in the county and the work that they do. They are also hoping to establish a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community and are working on accessing funding applications in this regard.
Tonight’s peaceful vigil will take place at 7.30pm in Market Square and it is open to everyone in the community.
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