Ex-leader offered house as ‘bolthole’ after resignation
A MEMBER of the public offered to lend Leo Varadkar a “comfortable property” and a car if he needed a “bolthole” following his resignation as Taoiseach.
In the week after his announcement to step down on March 20, 412 emails were sent to him regarding his resignation.
A random sample of 50 released to the Irish Mirror under Freedom of Information shows most were positive, with just a handful of pejorative messages received.
One ex-pat told the former Taoiseach he was “damn proud of you”. The person offered Mr Varadkar and his partner, Dr Matt Barrett, a place to stay if they wanted to get away from the spotlight.
The email said: “If things get too hectic for you there, we have a couple of comfortable properties here where we could host you and your partner with no questions asked if you ever need a bolthole to drop out of sight.”
A majority of the people who wrote to
Mr Varadkar congratulated him as they praised his role in the Brexit talks and the pandemic.
Most expressed shock, with one person telling him they were as “emotional as you were” watching the announcement.
One wrote: “You were without a doubt the best taoiseach we have ever had in my [redacted] years.”
Many of the writers encouraged Mr Varadkar to enjoy his life outside politics. Another said: “Being a politician in this world must be incredibly challenging. I cannot begin to imagine how social media plays such a negative role in getting on with your day to day work. Not to mention your private life.
“Take a break, have a nice holiday, drink the wine, watch funny movies, eat the cheese. You deserve it.”
But not all messages were complimentary. One email wrote: “Leo, thank God you’re gone. A life’s failure in every way.
“You have achieved your life’s purpose in destroying Ireland and exporting the best people Ireland has to offer.”