Condemnation of far-right protest at Tánaiste's home

Gardaí confirmed that protest outside a residence in Dublin at 1pm on Sunday ended peacefully

Government TD Simon Harris tweeted that what happened outside Leo Varadkar's home was "vile on so many levels." 

Government and opposition TDs have condemned the far-right protestors who gathered outside the home of Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and his partner yesterday afternoon.

Gardaí confirmed that they were alerted to a protest outside a residence in Dublin at 1pm yesterday.

Videos of the protest circulating online include commentary, including homophobic language against Mr Varadkar.

Members of Ireland’s far-right parties were in attendance, as were people protesting Covid-19 vaccines.

The gathering was widely condemned by the Tánaiste’s Government colleagues last night.

The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris, condemned the incident via Twitter as “sickening, repulsive, disgusting behaviour”.

“It has no place in a democracy, must be condemned by all [and] called out for what it is,” said Mr Harris.

“Efforts to dehumanise politicians contributes to this. Vile on so many levels.” 

Sickening, repulsive, disgusting behaviour outside the home of @LeoVaradkar and Matt. It has no place in a democracy, must be condemned by all & called out for what it is. Efforts to dehumanise politicians contributes to this. Vile on so many levels

— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) September 19, 2021

Kerry Fine Gael TD Brendan Griffin, the deputy government chief whip, tweeted: “When people on here demonise [and] abuse democratically elected representatives, normalising [and] inciting hatred, it’s no wonder that it makes the leap out into the real world. Limits get pushed [and] pushed.

 “It was not protest, it was not politics, it was just vile. Anyone condoning it is not a democrat.” 

Social Democrat TD Gary Gannon tweeted: “What occurred outside Leo Varadkar’s house today was nothing short of vile. Blatant homophobia has no place in our Republic and should be confronted wherever it occurs.” Gardaí confirmed the protest ended peacefully.