Leo Varadkar Assaulted verbally while out jogging

donaghs

Cyclists and runners in Dublin will eventually encounter scum shouting abuse at them from vehicles. It’s quite common, the best reaction is to not look fazed and keep going, as Leo did.

However, getting out for some exercise can be a luxury for hard working people and this sort of abuse can completely ruin any mental benefit from it. But what to do? It’s not really a jailing offence, Garda caution?

jimwallace197

Pair of skangers slag a politician off from their car. In fairness to Varadkar, he handled it well & kept going. But his comments about this being a weekly thing are no doubt in my mind, BS. I doubt many people who have ran around the city centre, havent at least a number of times experienced some nasty comments like this.

But of course, he plays the victimhood & homophobic card just like he did a few weeks ago with Michael Healy Rae. If you put yourself out in public as leader of any country, there are some people that are going to have a go. Thats part of what being the leader of a country nowadays entails. Nothing to do with this nonsense of it being a hate crime or a homophobic attack.

Soon enough people wont be able to look at each other in the street without it being assault or a hate crime. Just ridiculous. How about grow a bit of a backbone, grow up & get on with life.

Ash.J.Williams

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917146#Comment_118917146

wha?

Ash.J.Williams

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917072#Comment_118917072

the problem with your argument is you are a nobody i assume? do you get called a spastic everytime you leave the house? I would imagine leo does

Ash.J.Williams

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917103#Comment_118917103

in they eyes of the law you can be injured by words so assault isn't wide of that mark

Fasano

anyone else think Leo is looking a bit chubby?

Or is that more disgusting abuse?

fucking hell, if he finds that an abusive tirade (which I doubt he does), then he is in the wrong job.

Allinall

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917554#Comment_118917554

What’s his job got to do with it?

Can't see the problem here. He's a politician and has chosen to lead a very public life. Perfectly natural that there will be people who are upset over his policies or the influence he has had in power. I'd say the benefits of his position have more than compensated him for any minor problems like this. Bear in mind that this would be a rare kind of thing, otherwise we'd have seen loads to such remarks over the years.

I think many posters here are blowing this out of proportion. He wasn't "assaulted". Some strangers shouted some crap at him. Whooptie do. Was there any risk of violence? Nope. Stop being so damn sensitive. I've heard worse at a rugby match.

Oh, and honestly, I wish Irish people would speak their minds more to our bloody politicians, rather than waiting politely in the wings for an invitation to speak that will never be made.

brokenangel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917554#Comment_118917554

That's the problem if you haven't worked it out. It's a job.

Do you think someone just doing a job should be open to shouting for a couple of scumbags?

No TD should have to face this...end of the day

People defending this are as bad as the people sitting in the car roaring abuse.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917574#Comment_118917574

People defending this are as bad as the people sitting in the car roaring abuse

Nobody seems to be defending it. I get the feeling that a lot of people are stuck in a world of black/white when it comes to situations like these.

I don't think it's a big deal. That's not defending their behaviour. It's a non-story.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917198#Comment_118917198

It is the most thankless job ever.

while i.could understand someone getting involved, why they would stay is beyond me.

brokenangel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917582#Comment_118917582

I don't think anyone doing a job should be subjected to this. It doesn't matter what they are doing

The problem I see here is that people don't think it is a big deal, just let the scumbags off with it.

orecir

Typical FG supporters making a mountain out of a molehill

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917505#Comment_118917505

He's not the leader of the country and just saying he gets abuse every week, how is that victimhood? Its.just facts.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917238#Comment_118917238

Absolutely agree 100%. Very loose and I would question his judgement.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917238#Comment_118917238

He does. That's an old video. He got a security detail because of incidents like this.

As an aside, all government ministers are due to get the Garda drivers back, that were taken away in the recession, due to.security risks.

jimwallace197

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917604#Comment_118917604

He's about to be & was before our current Taoiseach, hes the leader of the country in everything but name. Victimhood is this nonsense he goes on with almost on a monthly basis now trying to make out its because of his sexual orientation, ethnicity or otherwise. Id imagine Ahern, Kenny & many more before him would have received far worse if they chose to run around the city centre. Its part & parcel of being the leader of any country in the western world now. Macron only a few months ago had his residence flooded with cow manure for gods sake.

First rule of politics is that you need to have a thick skin to succeed & last. He knows this & is just using this video of a few scumbags to further his own agenda.

I dont believe him for one minute that he gets this abuse every week. He's known to have lied plenty of times before just like many other politicians to further his own cause. And his cause is to appeal to the LGBT community, the foreign community & the woke community who are perpetually offended over everything. Thats his target market & thats why he's saying this.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917650#Comment_118917650

His is he using this video? You know he didn't release it right?

Someone else releasing it and he.being asked about it is your idea of him being a victim? 😂

Facts are not victimhood and while you may not believe he gets abuse, it was enough of a cause for concern that he now has a security detail.

jimwallace197

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917660#Comment_118917660

Hes promoting this video as a reason for the fear people like him feel around the capital which is utter nonsense, everyone gets abused around the city sooner or later & they move on. Cmon off it with your facts, wheres his facts in relation to the garda investigation hes currently under, the Zappone appointment he was involved in amongst many other scandals. Hes far from an angel & there are a lot of Irish people unhappy with him as a result of his politics over the last few years & justifiably so.

The vast vast majority of people dont care about his orientation, ethnicity or otherwise. The just want him to be a decent leader.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917571#Comment_118917571

There no need for you to "wish Irish people would speak their minds more to our bloody politicians, rather than waiting politely in the wings for an invitation to speak that will never be made."

Politicians aren't some species of alien from another planet.

There are members of every party and independents in every town in Ireland. You can run in the next elections if you want, its open to everyone.

Brucie Bonus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917587#Comment_118917587

All the money, pensions and favours owing.

ButtersSuki

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917336#Comment_118917336

Not sure what that has to do with my comment?

I was keeping this to Leo, as it was asked on the thread what promises he - not others - hadn’t kept.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917693#Comment_118917693

I haven't seen him promoting this video?

I have never said he's an Angel, and he cannot talk about an on going Garda investigation, no one can.

MakersMark

Sounds like Mary Lou in the back of the car!

Mike Murdock

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917013#Comment_118917013

https://twitter.com/leovaradkar/status/688462286307086336?lang=en

For one.

Wanderer2010

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917483#Comment_118917483

Ah cmon will you are you seriously comparing the murder of an MP with 2 idiots calling Leo a pr!ck? Not even a fraction similar. These 2 lads were never going to hurt Leo, just throw a few digs. No, its not right but im sure Leos skin isnt that thin, didnt he manage to rise above the whole breaking rules in Zappone gate, the providing private medical contracts to his buddy etc? Its part of the job to take occasional abuse from the public. Working in ALDI is probably much worse.

One eyed Jack

Tis fairly shìtty alright when a man can’t even go for a jog in peace. Grown men too, it’s not unreasonable to expect they’d have a bit more cop-on.

Can’t even fathom the thought process behind filming it, let alone uploading it to social media, it’s just such a non-event!

Dyr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917081#Comment_118917081

The one thing I always liked about Ireland is the politicians know that they can ride us six ways from Sunday and that we'll do **** all about it because we're a shower of complacent eejits.

I have never yet met a politician who didnt have a neck like a jockeys bollix, if getting effed out of it from a passing car is the worst they have to worry about then they're doing well...and they are doing well, unlike joe taxpayer.

Mike Murdock

Ordinary Joe and Jill Soaps get abused from passing cars every **** day of the week, and we are supposed to start wringing our hands because a politician does?

Nobody should have to put up with this kind of harassment whether it be the Taoiseach or regular folk. Would love if these two saddos get done for this. It would send a message to these "hilarious" comedians in passing cars. Cowards.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917588#Comment_118917588

Again, you're jumping logic. Nobody said that they should be let off with it. Everyone is responsible for the choices, and actions. If Leo was to find them, and press charges, grand.. I wouldn't have an issue with it (if there were any charges to make without going to extremes).

I don't think it's a big deal. I've heard worse in the streets of Ireland for decades. Outside of nightclubs. In the smoking rooms. At a football or rugby match. What makes it worse that it happened to Leo? It's like the way celebs complain about getting attention, when they go looking for attention. Politicians chose to be politicians, which is similar to being a celeb, except far more people likely hate you for it.

Or is it that we've become so sensitive that we can't shrug off the insults of strangers or muppets?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917698#Comment_118917698

Your suggestion makes no sense. Surely, the reasonable suggestion would be that all politicians would be accessible to the public, and they (the public) can speak their minds to them directly? Oh, yes, because that's not really the case. Not in practical terms.

Interesting you believe that I, or others would need to run in an election to get our voices heard on issues, or our opinions on politicians.

Leg End Reject

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917759#Comment_118917759

Yeah, "The looking after those who get up at 7.30 in the morning."

Leg End Reject

I'd imagine those comedians would have difficulty spelling 'Varadkar' and just saw it as an opportunity to impress their equally dim-witted friends. I doubt Leo gave it a second thought.

Faugheen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917693#Comment_118917693

He's not 'promoting' anything ffs.

He was doing a press conference and was asked a question about it, and he answered it. Nothing more, nothing less.

As for the video, anyone who thinks it's alright to call anybody a prick while they're living their life is a scumbag.

Anyone trying to dismiss it, put your name on the ballot paper and run for election yourselves.

Strumms

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917792#Comment_118917792

‘Attention’ is the currency of fools and has been for a while… makes them seem relevant for a day or two..

joseywhales

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917824#Comment_118917824

Sure, so why should we allow or even encourage verbal abuse, to what end? To make us feel better. Because we like to be rude?

Now I know its a different level entirely but we have seen MPs in Britain having confrontation escalate to the point of murder. Is it a good idea to have a society where it is acceptable to verbally abuse politicians who we disagree with? Is it a relationship we wish to normalise with our politicians? Do we wish for the tax payer to foot the bill for personal security of politicians, just because we cant behave ourselves?

My view is that there is no logical reason for anyone to abuse a politician(or anyone really), so why shouldn't we discourage it?

Fionn1952

Any ar*ehole shouting something out car windows at a passerby is a scumbag, but calling someone a pr*ck and driving on is a fairly low bar for assault.

Unacceptable behaviour, yes.....but I have to admit I was expecting something much worse from the hyperbolic title. Didn't look like Leo was particularly emotionally distraught or fearful on his jog. I doubt there are many who couldn't point to the same or worse experience if they've had regular danders along the quays. The comparisons to David Amess are downright offensively insensitive.

Kermit.de.frog

When was it filmed? Is it an old video?

padd b1975

Going by the skanger accents, I'm saying Éirìgí mouth breathers.

#hisnamewasleo

Allinall

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917824#Comment_118917824

I’m a joe taxpayer and doing well.

Whats your particular issue?

Miadhc

We pay him very well. I think he can take a few hurty words every now and then, in any case, the lads weren't lying.

Allinall

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118918176#Comment_118918176

What does his pay have to do with it?

If he was paid less would the hurty words be more hurty?

gmisk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118918176#Comment_118918176

I don't think the abuse people should have to deal with on a day to day basis should be based on their wages...

Donald Trump

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118917049#Comment_118917049

100% incorrect on your "legal opinion"

(That is not an opinion on this specific incident.)

Donald Trump

I can't tell whether the people who say things like "sure I was shouted at by someone last week" are trolling or don't understand the difference between an ignorant gobshite just mouthing off at a random person (who happens to be you), versus an individual seeing you and recognising you, and then targeting you purely because they recognise you.

usernamegoes

I opened this thread thinking the usual suspects would have some decency and say it was terrible and wrong. Instead it's full of the usual suspects minimizing and contorting to say anything other than it was totally and utterly wrong. It really is mind-blowing how some of you can be so vitriolic that you wouldn't just say that and leave it at that without all the "everyone gets shouted at" and "it's not assault" (when in fact it could be).

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118918115#Comment_118918115

Last summer i.believe

Yurt2

Someday soon an Irish politician is going to go full John Prescott, lamp someone shouting at them and become a folk hero.

And who could argue? Don't like Leo but he should be left alone on the street to jog in peace.

joseywhales

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118918356#Comment_118918356

Those lads would sue you for all they could get if you laid a finger on them. My oul lad always said, never fight with someone who has nothing to lose.