WATCH: Seanad told three gay men were chased down and 'hunted' in Phoenix Park

A senator has claimed that three gay men were "hunted" in Phoenix Park in Dublin earlier this week by a group of men who were armed with knives.

Speaking in the Seanad this Wednesday, Fine Gael Senator Barry Ward said one of the victims had contacted him about the incident which is alleged to have happened on Tuesday.

"I received a report from Jamie Robertson who was in the Phoenix Park with two of his friends. They were chased down, or, as he said, 'hunted' by six men with knives. Jamie and his friends got away from their pursuers but God knows what would have happened if they had not," he said.

"Apparently, the Phoenix Park is not safe for people. These guys were just walking through the park and were chased by six men. What on earth is going on that this still happens in Ireland in 2024 when every right thinking member of society recognised the normality of sexual relationships between people of the same gender or same sex? What is going on that we are not tackling this?," he added.

Senator Ward said when the victims contacted gardaí but were told there was no CCTV and that "they could not identify the crowd".

He stated: "There needs to be (garda) patrols in the Phoenix Park to protect people. If needs be, there needs to be further education for the park rangers or other garda presence in Phoenix Park to protect people because attacks are absolutely unacceptable."