A young Lucan man was left with a broken leg and a fractured eye socket after an alleged homophobic attack in Dublin city centre.
Evan Somers was walking down Dame Street with his cousin and his cousin's boyfriend when the attack took place around 3:30am on Sunday morning.
The 23-year-old, who was rushed to St James' Hospital where he will undergo surgery on his ankle today, recalled the horrifying incident from his hospital bed.
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He told Dublin Live: “We began walking down Dame Street looking for a taxi.
“The man who assaulted me ran after us and started to harass us, even though we had never spoken to him before.
“I remember him calling me a f****t right as he was about to punch me and I had no time to react.
“I don’t remember much after that as I got knocked out. Next thing I remember is sitting on the path with my leg outstretched, unable to move my foot.
“The man had already fled and the police and an ambulance were called.
"I have a fractured eye socket, two fractured bones in my ankle and a dislocated ankle with some other small cuts and bruises.
"I’ll be getting surgery very soon for my ankle.”
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Evan believes that there's still a long way to go in terms of equality for LGBTQ+ people.
But he is incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support he has received from his loved ones and on social media.
He continued: "Even though you hear of stories like this, when it happens to you or even someone you know, it’s just a shocking reminder that we have a long way to go in terms of equality for LGBTQ+ people.
"I play for the Emerald Warriors, which is an inclusive rugby team with most of the members being LGBTQ+ and they have been so supportive during this. Everyone has actually!
"A lot of people have reached out to me telling me something similar has happened to them in Dublin, which is really disappointing.
"It’s 2022, it shouldn’t need to be said that it’s not okay to abuse people physically or verbally just because they’re different to you."
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar was appalled by the incident, tweeting: “Shocked and appalled that an assault of this nature in our capital city.
“Will discuss with Helen McEntee regarding the Garda presence on our street and new hate crime laws. Sorry about what happened. Wishing you a swift recovery.”
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In a statement on Twitter, Evan's rugby club Emerald Warriors said it was “devastated” and that "homophobic attacks and slurs are increasing" in the city.
They wrote: “We are devastated and shocked following the attack on our fellow Warrior last night.
"This is Ireland 2022. As many of our stakeholders tell us, homophobic attacks and slurs are increasing. We are here for you.
“As a club we strive to be part of the positive cultural change for our LGBTQ+ family in our communities and especially in our rugby community.”
Leinster Rugby shared a post on Instagram, writing “Wishing Evan a speedy recovery #rugbyfamily.”
And pop icon and Culture Club singer Boy George tweeted that he hoped gardai would catch the "vile creature" that attacked Evan.
“What did your freedom to be who you are stir in this vile creature," he said.
"I'm sorry for what you have been through and hope they catch him. There are satellites that see everything."
A garda spokesman said: “Gardai are investigating all the circumstances of an assault, including any hate related motivation, on a man in his 20s that occurred on Dame Street at approximately 3:45am on Sunday, 10th April, 2022.
“The injured party was taken to St James’ Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
“No arrests have been made at this time.
“Gardai are appealing for any witnesses or for anyone with any information in relation to this assault to contact Pearse Street on 01 6669000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”
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