Mullingar Pride vigil in honour of Michael Snee and Aidan Moffitt

Speaking with her usual eloquence, and with added grit to her tone, Ruth Illingworth told a vigil held in honour of Michael Snee and Aidan Moffitt that Ireland could no longer tolerate hate crime.

Mullingar Pride, of which Ruth is a committee member, had organised the vigil in the town park to remember the two men murdered in Sligo this week, and to show solidarity with their families and friends.

Ms Illingworth spoke with a determination that made it clear the LGBTQ community would not be forced into the background because of the hate directed at them by a small minority; "we are here and we have a right to be here", she said.

The chairperson of Mullingar Pride, Daniel Boyne, was "pleasantly surprised" with the turnout. He was nervous about what the reception to the event would be but "it has been so positive and there's more people here than I could have imagined".

"Mullingar has done us proud and they've come out in their numbers this evening."

On behalf of Mullingar Pride Daniel extended sympathies to the families and friends of Mr Snee and Mr Moffitt. "What's good about our community is that in times of hardship we come together and we're there for each other, and we'll get through this together."

Sorca Clarke, TD, was present at the vigil, and she said. "We like to think we've come a long way since Declan Flynn was murdered in Fairview in the early '80s, but recent events in Sligo have brought back to the fore the challenges that face the people in our communities who are members of the LGBTQ+."

She said that intolerance did not disappear after the marriage equality referendum, and while hate crime legislation has a role to play, so does societal change, and that is what will make the difference.

"We are making slow progress but when events like this happen it does bring people back, the members of the LGBTQ+ community back, and highlights the work we still have to do."

Cllr Hazel Smyth thanked the Mullingar Pride committee for organising the event and was pleased to see such a strong turnout.

"It is just horrifying what happened, and I hope that it will never be repeated, it's a horrendous tragedy and my thoughts and prayers are with the entire LGBTQ+ community.

"I'm very glad to support them and I hope that the Mullingar Pride Week that's coming up will get the support of all the community, because this [the murders] is a sign that the support is needed as much today as ever."