The Abbey Theatre and the Minister for Culture have condemned an "unprovoked, random act of mindless violence" after a visiting Ukrainian cast member was assaulted, glassed and bitten by a group of attackers in Dublin city centre at the weekend.
Ukrainian actor Oleksandr Hrekov was attacked on Saturday night outside the theatre after taking part in a performance of Brian Friel's play 'Translations'.
The 23-year-old, who was in Ireland with the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre, was hospitalised after the attack and has since returned to Kyiv with his group.
The attack on Eden Quay is understood to have taken place after two men and three women tried to take Mr Hrekov's cigarettes.
When an altercation occurred, he was assaulted, glassed and bitten, before being taken to the Mater Hospital for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Minister Catherine Martin has condemned the "cowardly attack", along with other Irish politicians.
She said that the production of Translations was "an expression of the solidarity of the Irish people with the people of Ukraine".
"I hope Oleksandr makes a full recovery and returns to his craft as soon as possible," she said on Twitter.
In a statement, the Abbey Theatre described the attack as an "unprovoked, random act of mindless violence".
"We were honoured to welcome and work with our Ukrainian colleagues from the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre over the last ten days, showing their production of Brian Friel's Translations to sold out houses at the Abbey Theatre," it said.
"They are a group of incredible and resilient artists - using their art as an act of resistance to speak to their lived experience in a powerful and deeply moving way.
"Unfortunately, one of the cast was attacked near the Abbey on Saturday evening after the final performance.
"This was an unprovoked, random act of mindless violence that left the cast member needing stitches and treatment in hospital.
"Both the Abbey Theatre and the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre condemn this behaviour and stand together against bullying and violence of this nature.
"The cast member is recovering well and began the journey home to Kyiv with the rest of the company yesterday. The Abbey Theatre will continue to work with the gardaí, who are investigating the incident.
"This incident will not overshadow the joyful and important collaboration between our two theatre companies."
In a statement, a garda spokesperson confirmed they were contacted about an alleged assault on Eden Quay on Saturday evening.
They said a man in his 20s was taken to the Mater Hospital to be treated for injuries believed to be non-life threatening and that, to date, no arrests have been made.
