Gardai in Sligo have confirmed that they are investigating an attack on a gay man in a Sligo bar.
A 32-year old man says he was attacked by up to eight others after he kissed his 20-year old friend from West Sligo.
During the attack, which occurred earlier this month, the victim claims he was thrown down a stairs.
The incident has revived memories of an attack in 1999 in which a gay American man, writer Robert Drake, was left fighting for his life.
Two men were jailed for that attack.
A spokesman for Sligo gardai said they are aware of the latest attack and are investigating.