Leo Varadkar subject to vile abuse in shocking viral video

The former Fine Gael leader was labelled a "traitor to the Irish people"

In the footage which has subsequently gone viral, Varadkar could be seen sitting in Dublin’s Portobello drinking a coffee as a car stopped nearby and its occupants began hurling abuse at the former Irish leader.

Throughout the clip, which appears to have been shot from inside the car, a man and woman can be heard shouting at Varadkar.

The woman shouts that Varadkar is a “traitor to the Irish people” and a “scumbag”. She adds: “I don’t know how you can sleep at night.”

A man’s voice then interrupts as he repeatedly calls Varadkar a homophobic slur.

Remarkably, Varadkar doesn’t appear overly shook by the ordeal and remains calm and poised, even smiling until the video comes to an end.

After the video was shared online, social media was awash with support for Varadkar.

One person wrote: “It is appalling and very little to do with his policies, more to do with his sexuality.”

Another commented: “No wonder he just decided to step down. Nobody should have to deal with that kind of abuse.”

A third said: “This is appalling. No one should have to put up with abuse for doing their job.”

Another argued: “I’m not a Leo Varadkar supporter but I will say fair play Leo. You are the bigger man for just ignoring these homophobic wasters.”

And one more wrote: “These people would get a lot further voicing their ‘concerns’ if they did it in an acceptable manner.

“Why don’t they stand for election if they’re so sure they could do a better job? Abusing someone for their sexuality because you aren’t happy with their politics is grim.”

Little over a month ago, Varadkar announced that he would be standing down as Taoiseach.

Varadkar explained his reasons for stepping down, saying: “My reasons for stepping down are both personal and political… I believe the re-election of this three party government will be the right thing for the future of our country.

“After careful consideration and some soul searching, I believe a new Taoiseach will be better placed than me to achieve that. After seven years in office, I don’t feel I’m the best person for that job anymore.

“I am standing aside in the absolute confidence that the country and economy are in a good place.”

The 45-year-old will stay on as TD of Fine Gael’s Dublin West constituency.

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