Broadcaster Brendan Courtney has spoken of being left “completely shaken” after he was violently attacked near his home in Dublin city. He was punched to the ground and kicked in the head and face in what he believes was a homophobic assault, causing him to worry about the rise in anti-gay rhetoric in Ireland.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Liveline, Courtney recounted how the incident occurred around 9pm as he was walking home at the junction of Usher Street and Queen Street.  

“I just remember a white car pulling up. I don’t know what kind of car it was. There were three lads inside, and one of them wound down the passenger window and said something to me. I just sort of replied, ‘hello’ or something like that.  

“And then suddenly, from behind, the driver and the man in the back jumped out. They kicked me to the ground, punched me, and kicked me in the head about five or six times.”  

Courtney described feeling “a boot to the side of my head, a boot to the back of my head, and a boot right in my face” as he lay on the ground. An American woman nearby screamed, prompting the attackers to flee in their car.

A bar manager who witnessed the attack took Courtney into the bar to help him recover. “I didn’t know what was going on—it was just so surreal,” he said.  

He believes the attack was unprovoked, suggesting that the men were “out for the hunt.” He suspects they may have recognised him or simply targeted him for appearing obviously gay.

“I was coming from a gig, so I was wearing particularly fancy clothes… I probably looked flamboyant, but I was just going about my business.”  

Courtney recalled hearing the attackers shout, “Get him!”—something he described as “absolute madness.”

While acknowledging that Irish society is generally tolerant, Brendan Courtney expressed concern after his attack, saying that he believes anti-gay rhetoric is on the rise. “We’re all tired of this nonsense,” he said.

A Garda spokesperson confirmed that officers attended the scene shortly after 9:30pm on the evening of Thursday, February 27, and investigations are ongoing. Courtney is due to meet with authorities at a later date to file a full report and CCTV footage of the incident has been obtained.