Vigil To Take Place Tonight For Victims Of Orlando Shooting

A silent vigil will take place in Dublin tonight as a sign of respect for the victims of the horrific mass shootings that took place in Orlando at the weekend.

The event, which is hosted by GLEN – the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network, and joined by Belong To Youth Services and the Transgender Equality Network Ireland, will take place this evening from 6:45 to 7:30 at Barnardos square beside City Hall.?GLEN is a non-governmental organisation that works for equal rights for people within the LGBT community here in Ireland and abroad.

The brutal act of terrorism was carried out on Sunday night in Pulse Nightclub by Omar Mateen,?who, singling out members of the LGBT community, took hostages and killed 50 innocent people, while leaving another 53 people seriously wounded. Mateen, who is 29 and who grew up in New York, had been investigated by the?FBI on two previous occasions and was able to successfully purchase illegal firearms last week.

Speaking about the event on their FaceBook page, GLEN says it wants to – express our solidarity and sympathy with all those affected and bereaved by the tragedy?. Everyone is welcome to attend the silent vigil and GLEN are asking that you bring along any rainbow flags or emblems.

In similar salute, Dublin’s Lord Mayor Cr?ona N? Dh?laigh this morning opened a book of condolence as a sign of respect for the deceased. N? Dh?laigh was joined by Chairperson of GLEN Kieran Rose in signing the book, which resides in The Mansion House on Dawson Street. The book of condolences is open to members of the public until 4 today, and from 10 am to 4pm tomorrow and Wednesday.

For more information on this evening’s silent vigil, click?here.