Gay man ‘had enough’ of homophobic abuse

Galway City Tribune – A gay man living in a city estate says he has been subjected to ongoing homophobic abuse by local teenagers.

Galway native John Loughnane (47) said he has ‘had enough’ of young vandals targeting his home in Mervue.

A rock was thrown at, and smashed, the bedroom window of his home at Walter Macken Flats last week.

Mr Loughnane told the Galway City Tribune this is just the latest in a long string of incidents in which his home has been targeted by youths because of his sexuality. The vandalism at the local authority owned housing complex was reported to Galway Gardaí and Galway City Council.

“I’m proud of who I am. I’m not ashamed of who I am. But I shouldn’t be targeted and abused like this just because of who I am, because I am gay,” he said.

Mr Loughnane suspects the young lads play soccer at the nearby Mervue United training ground and they harass him on the way to and from the pitches in the evening. He said he has reported the matter to the club.

“The man at Mervue United said he will look at the CCTV. They are only 12 or 13 years of age. It’s been going on for years. I’ve been here 11 years. Two years ago, the glass pane on my front door was broken in. They bang on my door, they throw clay at my walls, they throw eggs at my windows. It’s all sorts of abuse. I shouldn’t have to put up with it,” he said.

Mr Loughnane said one of his neighbours has been supportive but he has requested a transfer to another Council house.
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