Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, musician Boy George and Irish Rugby have all issued statements of condemnation after a man suffered a homophobic attack in Dublin at the weekend.
Evan Somers was attacked at around 3.30am on Dame Street on Sunday.
Mr Somers suffered a fractured eye socket, two ankle fractures, an ankle dislocation, and other minor injuries.
Tweeting about the attack, Mr Varadkar said: "Shocked and appalled that an assault of this natured occurred in our capital city.
"Will discuss with Helen McEntee re Garda presence on our street and new hate crime laws. Sorry about what happened. Wishing you a swift recovery."
Shocked and appalled that an assault of this natured occurred in our capital city. Will discuss with Helen McEntee re Garda presence on our street and new hate crime laws. Sorry about what happened. Wishing you a swift recovery https://t.co/Mj4mJuyDsV
Advertisement— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) April 11, 2022
Culture Club musician Boy George also condemned the attack.
"What did your freedom to be who you are stir in this vile creature," the singer said.
"I'm sorry for what have been through and hope they catch him. There are satellites that see everything."
What did your freedom to be who you are stir in this vile creature. I'm sorry for what have been through and hope they catch him. There are satellites that see everything. #Equality https://t.co/2QEEYmnrIy
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) April 10, 2022
Mr Somers, who plays rugby for the Emerald Warriors RFC, received support from his club and the IRFU.
"We stand #shouldertoshoulder with Evan and with
@ewrfc," Irish Rugby said in a statement on Twitter.
"This violence and homophobia has no place in our society.
"We will always send the message that everyone is welcome in the rugby family."
We stand #shouldertoshoulder with Evan and with @ewrfc
This violence and homophobia has no place in our society.
We will always send the message that everyone is welcome in the rugby family. https://t.co/rSp91KoltM— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) April 11, 2022
It is understood that Gardaí are investigating the attack.
