In a disturbing turn of events in Birmingham, a man has shared the harrowing details of his attack by a masked mob outside The Clumsy Swan pub. The incident, which took place on Monday night, has left Sean McDonagh, 51, with a torn liver and a clear message: he’s not interested in any apologies.
The attack unfolded as hundreds gathered, many waving Palestinian flags, to protect the Muslim community from a rumored far-Right rally.
When the anticipated far-Right protest failed to materialize in Bordesley Green, the situation escalated. A large group, some armed and many masked, began targeting the pub in nearby Yardley, mistakenly believing that members of the English Defence League (EDL) were inside.
Footage from the scene shows McDonagh being assaulted by a man in a black puffer jacket and balaclava outside the pub, which suffered significant damage as the mob attempted to break in.
Customers and staff were left hiding in fear as the pub’s doors and windows were smashed.
According to McDonagh, he inadvertently walked into the protest after leaving the pub, unaware of the ongoing march. He described the attack, saying he fell to the ground after being punched and was then kicked several times.
Despite the severe injury—a lacerated liver—he expressed confusion over the attack and remained indifferent to the apologies offered by the Muslim community.
Community and Pub Reactions
Linda Fogarty, the assistant manager at The Clumsy Swan, acted quickly to secure the pub when she learned of the approaching mob.
She locked the doors and barricaded the pubgoers inside, but the damage was extensive as the group tried to force their way in.
Fogarty revealed her desire to ban McDonagh from the pub for provoking the group with offensive language. However, she acknowledged the support from the Muslim community, who have offered to cover the damages and have been apologetic.
She noted that the majority of those on the march acted sensibly and even helped protect McDonagh once the violence began.
Concerns Over Policing and Response
The incident has raised questions about policing, with critics arguing that the response was inadequate.
Nigel Farage and Elon Musk have highlighted concerns about a possible disparity in how far-Right protests are policed compared to other gatherings.
West Midlands Police have acknowledged some concerns about their response and are investigating multiple incidents, including McDonagh’s assault. They also reported that some individuals at the gathering were acting in an antisocial manner.
Media and Community Reactions
The media coverage has been extensive, with Sky News and LBC reporters encountering aggressive behavior from masked groups during live broadcasts.
The lack of police presence has been a point of criticism, with some community leaders and local residents expressing frustration over the delay in police intervention.
Naveed Sadiq, a respected figure in the local Muslim community, intervened to stop the attack and had previously alerted the police to the potential for violence. His concerns about the policing response echo the sentiments of others who feel the situation was mishandled.
Moving Forward
As the community rallies to support the pub and repair the damages, the focus remains on addressing the broader issues of policing and community relations. The event highlights the urgent need for effective and responsive law enforcement in volatile situations.
TDPel Media
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