A popular influencer has shown his injuries after he was allegedly assaulted in Cork city.
Social media influencer David Babington (Material Boy), who owns a hair salon in Cork, has shown his facial injuries after he was the victim of an alleged attack in Cork city on Sunday night.
Speaking to The Opinion Line on Cork's 96FM, the influencer recalled how homophobic abuse was screamed at him as he was making his way through a street after leaving his two friends following a night out.
READ MORE: Police officer shot by masked men named as John Caldwell as PSNI launch attempted murder probe
"Before I knew it a very big stocky man came to me and gave me the strongest, most merciful punch in the face," the 43-year-old told presenter PJ Coogan.
After getting up off the ground "completely bewildered" he noticed that the guards had arrived.
"Before I knew it I was over in the Bridewell (garda station). I will not falter the guards, they did absolutely nothing wrong. They were just doing their job. I had no idea what was going on, I was placed into a cell," he recalled.
After ringing the guards the next day to find out what actually happened, David said he was hit so hard by the stocky man that he was knocked out cold.
"A person had called the guards to say someone was unconscious. In my confusion when the guards came I pushed someone. If somebody is on the street and under the influence they have to be brought to the station.
"This is protocol," he elaborated live on air, which was first interview since the alleged assault occurred.
He added the person that assaulted him did get away. "The hardest part of it all was the last few days. My three-year-old daughter didn't want to see my face. She didn't want to come to me or cuddle me," he said.
Speaking on his facial injuries he stated that they were "intense" and that his eye was closed over.
"I am shocked that this is still happening on our streets in Cork. I am a confident, flamboyant gay man and now I have to take these things into consideration when walking down the street.
"I could be assaulted for being gay and that's really hard to take," he added.
READ NEXT:
Biometric analysis 'rules out' woman claiming she's Madeleine McCann
Police officer shot by masked men named as John Caldwell as PSNI launch attempted murder probe
Argos customers in Ireland warned over urgent recall of couches due to fire risk
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
