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A woman wearing a mask was filmed throwing a drink on Leo Varadkar while giving an interview in Dublin.
Images shared on social media show the woman, who was carrying a skateboard, walking toward where the tánaiste and a camera crew were standing in Merrion Park around 3 p.m. Friday.
He briefly talks to a crew member, then walks up to Varadkar and squirts liquid from a white cup at his face. The woman then drops the cup, turns, and runs off.
At a press conference later that day, Varadkar explained that he was filming a video explaining the new coronavirus restrictions to the people of Dublin. He said, “The good news is that we finished it before the incident.”
He added: “At first I thought it was Avril Lavigne because of that skateboard and everything, but unfortunately it wasn’t. She also had a smoothie, which ended up all over my face and up to the middle of my suit. But I had a spare suit and got on with the day’s work. “
Varadkar, who has a garda driver, said he was not seeking additional security measures. He said that he had not yet spoken to Gardaí, but added: “I think they want to talk to me.”
Former Presidential Candidate Gavin Duffy tweeted: “What a horribly rude thing to do to Tánaiste Leo Varadkar. This is an attack on our democracy, not him. It was reported to be coffee, but it could have been anything, including acid. We need to better protect our politicians. “
A Gardaí spokesperson confirmed that they were investigating the incident.
New restrictions on meetings, business and travel went into effect in Dublin at midnight in an effort to combat the rise of Covid-19 infections in Ireland.
The government approved on Friday a plan to move the capital for three weeks from level two to level three on a five-level scale of restrictions.
There is a ban on eating in indoor restaurants and restrictions on social gatherings and sports. Residents are advised not to travel outside of the county, either domestically or internationally, without a compelling reason.
Coronavirus cases in Dublin have increased tenfold in the last month. Its 14-day incidence rate is 104 per 100,000, almost double the national rate of 53.
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