Members of LGBTIA+ community 'attacked and intimidated' on Limerick's streets

TEN years on from the marriage equality referendum, where six in 10 voters backed same-sex marriage, an openly LGBTQIA+ councillor says things are “far from fine” for his community.

Social Democrats councillor Shane Hickey-O’Mara is one of only two openly LGBTQIA+ members of Limerick City and County Council, the other being Mayor John Moran.

He says since the landmark day in May 2015, “there has been a lot of apathy and blissful ignorance,” and a misconception that because of that mandate things are fine for those who may be LGBTQIA+.

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“Across the world, our community is seeing their rights being systematically rolled back, politicians are backing away from our community, as are companies that formerly supported Pride events,” he said.

The “targeting” of the world's trans community, he believes, is “quite simply regurgitated homophobia akin to that historically used to ‘other’ gay and bisexual men.”

The current, blatant transphobia we are seeing whipped up by bad faith actors and political parties is the oldest political trick in the book: scapegoating a vulnerable minority to spread fear and hate in order to make political hay - classic divide and conquer,” added Cllr Hickey-O’Mara when addressing the monthly meeting of the Metropolitan District of Limerick.

The northside councillor - elected for the first time last summer - put a call out asking people to share their experiences of what it is like to be LGBTQIA+ in Limerick.

While he thanked those that took time to share their testimony, he said some of what he heard was “deeply distressing”.

“Members of the community spoke about being attacked and intimidated in the street, on public transport, on nights out, and in their workplaces. One person who works in Limerick Council even contacted me to say they aren’t ‘out’ at work due to witnessing colleagues use homophobic language in the workplace,” said Cllr Hickey-O’Mara.

Other stories he heard, included: “Not feeling safe to hold your partner’s hand in public, having things thrown at you from cars along with the obligatory hate speech. Having someone walk up behind you in a shop and whisper the F-word into your ear before walking away.”

“This is what it’s like for many LGBQIA+ people living in Limerick in 2025,” he added.

The Limerick Pride parade takes place in on Saturday, July 12 and he urged all to turn out in solidarity.