Gardaí launch investigation as protestors gather at Leo Varadkar's home for second week in a row

Members of Government condemned the protest as "vile", "homophobic" and "sickening" last week.

Gardaí have launched an investigation as protestors gathered at Leo Varadkar's home for the second week in a row.

Gardaí were alerted to a number of protestors outside a residence in Dublin 8 on Sunday, 26 September at approximately 2pm.

Gardaí attended and the protest ended without incident shortly before 3pm.

An Garda Síochána confirmed that they are investigating protest activity which occurred in Dublin 8, on 19 September 2021, to establish if any activity, during that event, amounted to a breach of the criminal law.

Earlier this week, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has hit out at the people who protested outside the home of Leo Varadkar, however, he also outlined the difficulties of stopping them.

Coveney told The Irish Times on Thursday that the families, children and partners of politicians and public figures should not be "fair game for aggressive lobbying."

He said that the protests may have crossed a line into "intimidation at a person’s home", adding that he would like to see people use "common decency" and protest outside offices or the Dáil instead of "trying to impact on a person’s private life."

However, he said he is not sure if it's possible to enforce legislation to prevent further protests at politicians homes.

Members of Government have moved to condemn the "vile", "homophobic" and "sickening" protest that took place outside the home of the Tánaiste and his partner Matt Barrett.

Video circulated online of the incident, viewed by JOE, contained the use of homophobic and racist language, while at least one banner appeared to carry an anti-vaccine message.

The protest drew a strong reaction from TDs, including opposition leader Mary Lou McDonald, who called for those involved to be investigated and prosecuted.

"The homophobic, bigoted intimidation witnessed at the home of Leo Varadkar is outrageous and shameful," McDonald wrote on Twitter on Sunday night.

Minister for Higher and Further Education Simon Harris, meanwhile, called out the incident in particularly strong terms, describing it as "sickening, repulsive, disgusting behaviour".