Ukrainian actor visiting Ireland left needing stitches for ‘hole in head’ after bitten & bottled in vicious gang attack
A UKRAINIAN actor performing in Ireland was hospitalised after a vicious attack in which he was bitten and had a glass bottle smashed over his head.
Oleksandr Hrekov was attacked on Saturday night outside the Abbey Theatre after taking part in a performance of Brian Friel's iconic play 'Translations'.
The Abbey Theatre condemned the "unprovoked, random act of mindless violence" on the visiting Ukrainian actor.
It is understood the vicious attack took place after a gang of two men and three women tried to take Oleksandr's cigarettes.
A spokesperson for the Lesya Ukrainka National Theatre, Anastasya Pavlenko, recounted the vicious attack, saying: “Oleksandr was standing near the Abbey after our last show. He was smoking near the main entrance and a group of people tried to take the cigarette from his mouth and his pack of cigarettes.
Anastasya added: “He’s pretty good now, he takes painkillers. He is OK but he has huge wounds on his face.”
A spokesperson for the Abbey Theatre said Oleksandr was left needing stitches as a result of the “unprovoked, random act of mindless violence”.
Condemning the attack they said: "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.
"Unfortunately, one of the cast was attacked near the Abbey on Saturday evening, after the final performance.
'MINDLESS VIOLENCE'
"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.
"This is only the beginning of the Abbey Theatre’s artistic relationship with our friends at the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre."
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A spokesman said: “Gardaí received report of an incident of assault on Eden Quay, Saturday, June 24th 2023.
“A man aged in his 20s was taken to the Mater Hospital to be treated for injuries believed to be non-life threatening. No arrests have been made.”