Couple Attacked in Northern Ireland

An unidentified gay male couple were attacked early Saturday morning in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, by three men outside a local bar. The couple, ages 22 and 38, received cuts and bruises covering their bodies, the BBC reports. The men who attacked them allegedly used gay slurs, causing police to investigate the case as a homophobic attack.

One said he is so fearful that he has not left his home since the incident took place.

Police report that there have been 10 homophobic attacks in Londonderry in the past 12 months, two more than in the previous year.