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Dublin Live
Dublin Live
National
Brian Dillon

Virgin Media star Alan Hughes says he fears leaving bars amid homophobic Dublin attack

Ireland AM presenter Alan Hughes has opened up about his fears for his safety in Dublin after a horrific homophobic attack took place in the city last weekend.

23-year-old Evan Somers was left with a broken leg and a fractured eye socket after an alleged homophobic attack in the city centre in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Evan was walking down Dame Street with his cousin and his cousin's boyfriend when the attack took place.

Read more: Podcast by Dublin drag queen and HIV activist 'smashing stigma' around virus

He was then rushed to St James Hospital where he underwent surgery on his ankle.

He told Dublin Live: "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."

Speaking on Ireland AM yesterday, the presenters ran through the morning headlines. Alan Hughes took the time to explain what it was like as a gay man in Dublin to hear this kind of news.

He said: "I was in that particular bar and that area on Saturday night, leaving at 3:00 am, that could have been me.

"I just was looking at those pictures, going there for the Grace of God, that could have been me."

"People think we've come a long way, and we have come an awful long way in this country, and so much credit to the people with the referendum and everything, but you still, there’s always going to be haters out there.

"You do get abuse and you do get shouted at and that’s the type of thing I fear for myself, leaving bars like that."

Read more: RTE star Oliver Callan won't hold hands with partner in public over homophobic attack fears

Read more: Young man has four ribs broken in suspected transphobic attack

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