A top Irish television presenter was left badly bruised and shocked after a late night assault.

Brendan Courtney was the victim of gay bashing in Dublin City centre.

The well-known fashion show host attended the prestigious IFTA Awards alongside 'Sex And The City' star Kim Cattrall sporting a black eye and other visible signs of the late night attack on South Great George’s Street.

Courtney was punched in the face by his unknown assailant who screamed ‘Queer’ at his victim during the attack.

“I was walking home on George’s Street with a group of friends after a club night in Andrews Lane. It was about two or three in the morning,” revealed Courtney.

“Some guy in his early 20s came up to me with a group of friends and punched me full force in the face. He ran off with his friends before we could get him.

“I felt very threatened. I have lived in Dublin city for a long time and I’d be very careful, but how do you prepare for someone running up to you out of nowhere and hitting you straight in the face?

“I haven’t had time yet but I will be reporting it to the guards.  It’s absolutely disgraceful that in this day and age some people think it’s still acceptable to behave in this way.

“I’m very lucky that this has been my first brush with anything like this but it isn’t uncommon.

“The exact same thing happened to a friend of mine outside Jervis Street shopping centre last Wednesday. He was beaten up and they yelled at him calling him a queer. It’s disgraceful.

“I’m grand though. I’m made of tough boots."