A GARDA SPOKESPERSON has told TheJournal.ie that they are stepping up patrols on Donabate beach in north county Dublin following allegations by the Sunday World newspaper that men were engaging in “lewd acts”.

The paper alleged yesterday that middle-aged men had turned the popular beach into “an open-air sex den”. It also said that two men had sex in broad daylight in front of families and “youngsters with buckets and spades”.

However, Gerry McGuire, Labour Party Councillor for Donnabate, told TheJournal.ie that he has had “not one complaint” from his constituents about the allegations, and said he “certainly would have heard something if they were true”.

He believes that the pictures were taken of a well-known secluded, nudist beach in the area, which lies between the main beach in Donabate and the Island Golf Club, near the estuary.

“The naturist beach has been around for 20 years. It’s very remote, and rarely frequented by locals, only nudists use it,” said McGuire.

Brian Finnegan, editor of GCN magazine, said the “underlying story here is that gay men are dangerous for children”.

“Stories like this tar everyone with the same brush and cause irrefutable damage to the the gay community,” added Finnegan.

“Any members of the public who witness any unusual or threatening behaviour or illegal activities should contact the gardaí immediately,” said a spokesperson for Fingal County Council.

Gardaí said they “are aware of the recent media coverage regarding public order incidents at the beach in Donabate” and have asked “anyone with information to contact Swords garda station at 01 6664700″.

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