GARDAÍ are investigating a suspected homophobic attack in Co Laois in which a gay couple were brutally beaten by men wielding hurls.
Collie McQuillan (30) says he and his Brazilian-born husband Gui Aquino Teixeira McQuillan (24) were attacked as they walked home from a barbecue in Portlaoise.
Mr McQuillan's jaw was fractured in two places, he has two missing teeth and two teeth were split in half.
An online fundraising page he set up to help pay for emergency dental work has received more than €13,000 (£11,500) in donations.
He wrote online: "I was savagely attacked by a group of people which caused extensive damages to my face and jaw and teeth which resulted in myself being transferred from Portlaoise Hospital to St James's Hospital Dublin."
The attack happened at about 2.30am on June 10 in the Harpurs Lane area of the town.
Mr McQuillan said the couple were walking home when a group shouted comments from across the road. He believes the assault was homophobic.
His husband Gui wrote on Facebook: "My husband and I were savagely attacked by four men carrying hurls and pieces of wood, without a reason.
"He's got the most severe injuries. His jaw is all fractured and he lost four of his front teeth. So with the physical pain, came the depression.
"We still can't believe that this happened, what kind of people does that? We just don't understand."
A garda spokesman said: "Gardai in Laois are investigating an alleged assault in the Harpurs Lane part of Portlaoise on Sunday June 10 2018 at approximately 2.30am. One male was taken to St James Street Hospital with serious facial injuries."
