Gardaí are investigating an assault on two drag performers in Cork city, which took place in the early hours of Sunday on Oliver Plunkett Street.
The victims, Krystal Queer (25) and Lucina Schynning (26), were filming a promotional video when they were suddenly attacked by a group of men. The performers told The Irish Times that the assault underscores the ongoing threats faced by queer people in Ireland.
Footage from the scene shows one man kicking both queens before fleeing. Moments later, a second attacker struck Krystal in the face, causing her to bleed, while others in the group laughed and filmed the incident. The victims also recorded the assault and have shared the footage with gardaí to help identify the suspects.
“It’s not the first time I’ve been hit in drag — it’s the first time I’ve had the video evidence to do something about it,” said Lucina. “But queer people, not just drag queens or visibly queer individuals, are in danger on the streets. It’s not a drag issue, it’s an LGBT issue.”
Krystal required medical treatment following the attack. “My lip was swollen, my face was bruised, and the cut was fairly deep. It bled for hours, and my gums were torn on the inside,” she said. “It’s still overwhelming, and we’re still processing what happened.”
Despite the trauma, both performers said the outpouring of support they received online has been heartening. “It’s been very distressing, but the love we’ve received has made us feel very supported,” Krystal added.
The assault occurred shortly after the pair had performed at a Cork Jazz Festival event, which they described as a major success. “We were genuinely on cloud nine after the show,” Lucina said.
Krystal and Lucina, who co-host the ‘Saints’ drag night at the Kino Centre, had been recording a promotional video for their next event when the attack happened. “We were talking to the camera, minding our own business, when we were attacked from behind without warning,” Lucina recalled. “It escalated to the point where Krystal was hit across the face with a phone that was being used as a weapon.”
Although both performers expressed fears for their safety, they plan to go ahead with Thursday’s show.
Krystal believes the attackers’ confidence stems from increasing hostility toward LGBTQIA+ people, influenced by wider social and political discourse. “After the marriage equality referendum in 2015, we thought we were on an upward path,” she said. “But rhetoric from America — especially from figures like [US President Donald] Trump — trickles down to the UK and Ireland. It really has an effect in real life.”
A Garda spokesperson confirmed that officers responded to an assault on Oliver Plunkett Street at approximately 12.30am on Sunday and that investigations are ongoing.
You can watch the video of the attack below.
@krystal.queer #cork #ireland ♬ original sound - Krystal Queer
