Dublin West constituents have been left “disappointed” by the resignation of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
That is according to Newstalk reporter Sheila Naughton who travelled to Castleknock to gauge public opinion on the shock announcement earlier today.
She told The Hard Shoulder this evening that the “overriding feeling” from people on the ground was "disappointment".
“Most people said they were disappointed and they were said and concerned about his reasoning to resign,” said Sheila.
“They did mention how much he had done for the local area and he was supporting local councillors with different issues they might have with infrastructure and planning in the area.
“There is a concern now that this support might lapse a bit but the general sense was shock – some people also said it wasn’t really a loss.”
'Man of great intelligence'
One woman told Sheila in Castleknock today she had only heard the news ten minutes ago and was very disappointed.
“I’m concerned for him because he is a man of integrity, a man of great intelligence,” she said.
“I think he would probably have been under a lot of pressure since the referendum and I don’t like to see anyone disenfranchised.
“I think it’s good for us in Castleknock to have so many public representatives; we have himself, Jack Chambers and Roderic O’Gorman.
“But I am sad to see him go and I don’t know what his plans are for the future.”
'Tough Job'
Another woman said being Taoiseach is a “tough job for anyone” to take on.
“I imagine it comes with a lot of stress,” she said.
“He’s a young man and you’d like to think he had a bit more time left in him.
“Hopefully a new leader comes in, takes over, and keeps the show on the road.
“He [Varadkar] served the constituency pretty well over the past couple of years and it’s good to have someone of his level in Cabinet representing our area - It’s a sad day in Castleknock for him to go.”
Leo Varadkar has been a Dublin West TD since he first was elected to the Dáil in 2007.
Main image: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar casting his vote during the 2018 Irish Presidential Election at Scoil Thomais, Castleknock in Dublin. Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo
