Justice Minister Helen McEntee has vowed to bring forward a hate crime bill in a matter of weeks to respond to the “atrocious” murders of two men in Sligo and a homophobic attack on a young man in Dublin.
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar has also said he is “deeply troubled” over the killings of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee in Sligo and said he is concerned about the possible motive of the attacker.
Ms McEntee offered her “sincerest condolences” to the families.
Read More: All we know about Sligo murders as gardai name both victims and man arrested
She said it has also been a difficult time for the LGBT community after a number of incidents including a suspected homophobic assault on a young man in Dublin over the weekend.
Ms McEntee said: “I also just want to say I know it’s been a difficult week for the LGBT community, there have been a number of incidents which I think have upset and have been distressing for people, speaking to my own friends indeed, I would include in that.
“These are incidents that we thought were behind us.
“I just want to reassure people that any crimes that are motivated by hate or prejudice or by discrimination, will not be tolerated, will carry higher sentences and I hope to introduce the hate crime bill in a matter of weeks to respond.”
Reacting to the horrific news in Sligo, the Fine Gael Minister said: “These really were atrocious crimes and I want people to know we are there for them, we are there for the community but also An Garda Siochana is there for the community.
“I’ve spoken to the Garda Commissioner and he has assured me that every effort is being made to make sure that whoever is responsible for these crimes, they are brought to justice.”
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar earlier said he was “shocked" and “worried” by the two deaths which occurred in Sligo.
He said he has spoken to Fine Gael members in Sligo who knew Roscommon native Aidan Moffitt, who was murdered at his home on Monday.
He said: “I just really wanted to say, I’ve been speaking to some of our members in Sligo last night, and I just really wanted to say how shocked and how worried I am actually by the two murders that appeared to have occurred in Sligo over the last couple of days."
Mr Varadkar also tweeted that he was “deeply troubled” about the murderers in Sligo and said “what happened is unspeakable and hard to fathom.
“Concerned about the possible motive of the attacker. RIP.”
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