Gardaí confirmed that they are investigating a serious assault that took place in Navan, Co Meath on Monday this week, in which a male student suffered “serious facial injuries”. According to some users on Twitter and Reddit, the victim of the attack is allegedly LGBTQ+, and a spokesperson from the Garda Community Engagement Offices confirmed that the assault is now being investigated as a hate crime.

The assault reportedly occurred in a residential neighbourhood in the Navan area at approximately 2.30pm on Monday, May 15. It was carried out by a group of students wearing school uniforms, who also recorded the episode and later posted it on social media.

The victim was repeatedly punched and kicked by at least three attackers, who only stopped the assault when other students intervened to push them away. The teenager was treated for serious facial injuries at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.

The Garda Press Office released a statement about the assault, saying: “Gardaí are investigating an assault which occurred in the Navan area of Co. Meath on Monday, 15 May 2023 at approximately 2.30pm. A male juvenile, later attended Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda where he received treatment for serious facial injuries.”

#BREAKING

Teenager “received treatment for serious facial injuries” following an assault in #Navan

Gardai have confirmed to @VirginMediaNews that an investigation is now underway

The attack happened on Monday afternoon at approx 2:30pm. pic.twitter.com/qJhSaJSePQ

— Zara King (@ZaraKing) May 17, 2023

The statement continued with: “An Garda Síochána is aware of a video circulating on social media of this incident and out of respect for the victim in this case we would request that people refrain from sharing this video.”

Gardaí are also appealing to anyone who might have information on the attack to contact the Navan Garda Station. Moreover, as part of the investigation, Gardaí will identify and interview the attackers and witnesses, as well as analyse phone footage for more information.

While the statement did not mention whether any hate-related motivations were being considered as part of the investigation, a spokesperson from the Garda Community Engagement Offices later confirmed that the incident is being investigated as a hate crime.

Senator Mary Seery-Kearney called the attack a “sickening display of violence” and added that the perpetrators “must be dealt with and a clear message needs to be sent from the Board of Management at the school, the Gardaí, and parents, that these shameful, cowardly and utterly disgusting acts will not be tolerated and will be punished.”