Politics/News: 18 May 2017
Stephen Keegan

The top Twitter reactions to Enda Kenny's retirement

Though Enda Kenny was not seen as the most modern Taoiseach, his method of finally announcing his retirement as Fine Gael leader was thoroughly up-to-date.

The Mayo man had the political commentariat in a tizzy yesterday as he with a knowing wink launched a Senate report into how the State deals with bereavement and death entitled “Finite Lives”.

Kenny finally gave up the game that afternoon - and it was via Twitter that the world first heard of the confirmation of his departure.

pic.twitter.com/L5VO8E2CUt

— Enda Kenny (@EndaKennyTD) May 17, 2017

Reactions varied, with some praising his work in stabilising the economy, and others criticising the legacy of austerity.

International leaders hailed him as a “friend”:

Sending best wishes to @EndaKennyTD. I enjoyed working with him in the British/Irish Council & he has always been a good friend to Scotland. https://t.co/8VtmHcCLS8

— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) May 17, 2017

.@EndaKennyTD was a strong leader for Ireland, a great partner for the UK, and remains a good friend.

— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) May 17, 2017

PM: Enda Kenny has been a strong and consistent friend to the UK. I wish him all the very best for the future.

— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) May 17, 2017

While closer to home, his legacy was given a closer examination:

Food queues and poverty not seen since 1916. Enda Kenny was a failure.#EndaOUT #EndasLegacy pic.twitter.com/i26YonWaJe

— Revolution🐊 (@Revolution_IRL) May 17, 2017

The horrific legacy of debt left by #EndaKenny & his cronies which the Irish will be shouldered with for generations pic.twitter.com/D10W6ICjbo

— Gemma O'Doherty (@gemmaod1) May 17, 2017

Soup kitchen on Grafton street this evening and everyone saying what a great job Kenny and FG did #vinb #rtebias #endakenny pic.twitter.com/ApomwvBAKn

— Scott Gray (@scottgray131) May 17, 2017

Soup kitchen on Grafton street this evening and everyone saying what a great job Kenny and FG did #vinb #rtebias #endakenny pic.twitter.com/ApomwvBAKn

— Scott Gray (@scottgray131) May 17, 2017

Others chose to remember the time he met Hulk Hogan:

enda kenny's resignation means that ireland is no longer run by a man who framed a photograph of the time he met @HulkHogan in an airport pic.twitter.com/7ViBn62DdJ

— Patrick (@PrayForPatrick) May 17, 2017

Meanwhile, The Rubberbandits clearly don't fancy Leo Varadkar or Simon Coveney:

Who's replacing Enda Kenny? Will it be neoliberal cunts? Bet it's neoliberal cunts isn't it?

— Rubber Bandits (@Rubberbandits) May 17, 2017