Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he has spoken to his partner Matt Barrett about comments made on his Instagram about King Charles' coronation.
He said that it "won't’ happen again" as Mr Varadkar agreed that the commentary provided by the cardiologist on a private Instagram account was "irreverent".
On Monday night, Dr Barrett said it was "poor judgement" and he "unreservedly apologise[s] for any offence caused".
READ MORE: Leo Varadkar says protests outside his home are 'unfair on neighbours'
READ MORE: Leo Varadkar suggests some energy companies and supermarkets are profiteering
Miriam Lord reported in her Irish Times column on Saturday that Dr Barrett had posted several messages on Instagram while inside Westminster Abbey at King Charles’ coronation on May 6.
It came just hours after he had met the monarch with the Taoiseach at a reception in Buckingham Palace. It was reported that Mr Varadkar’s partner posted several messages to over 350 followers on his private Instagram account.
This included a picture of a paragraph in the ceremony booklet that read: "The queen’s sceptre and rod are brought from the altar by the Right Rev and Right Hon the Lord Chartres GCVO and the Right Rev Rose Hudson Wilkin CD MBE, Bishop of Dover. The queen touches them in turn."
Mr Barrett added his own message reading: "Sounds like the script to a good night out, tbh."
The Instagram posts featured in several Irish newspapers over the weekend and have now made headlines across the UK. When asked about the incident at a press conference in Limerick, the Taoiseach said that he had spoken to Mr Barrett about the posts.
"Matt is a private individual, my partner for over seven years now," he said.
"It was some private messages sent to some friends on his private account. He never intended them to go public but that happens sometimes.
"We've spoken about it. And I think it's fair to say it won’t happen again."
When asked if he believed Dr Barrett should apologise, the Taoiseach said he is a "private individual and that is obviously up to him."
He continued: "Like I said, [it is a] private account, [it] was never intended to be shared publicly and I don't think we're going to see a repeat of it."
It was also put to the Taoiseach that the commentary had been described as "irreverent" in some news coverage. Mr Varadkar said that he thinks "irreverent would be a fair comment."
When asked if he thought it was an "embarrassment", Mr Varadkar said, "I think I have answered that question".
It was reported that Mr Barrett made several posts during the ceremony.
Posting a picture from inside the Taoiseach’s VIP vehicle, he wrote: "Holy shit I think I’m accidentally crowned king of England."
Taking a picture of Right Rev James Newcome’s 'Clerk of the Closet' title, Mr Barrett said that he "had this job until my early 20s."
He later posted a picture of King Charles wearing his crown. He appeared to insinuate that it reminded him of the Harry Potter sorting hat as he posted, "Was genuinely half expecting it to shout GRYFFINDOR."
Mr Barrett apologised for the comments on Monday evening. He said that it was "poor judgement" and he "unreservedly apologise[s] for any offence caused".
Very few Fine Gael TDs or Senators were aware of the controversy, but some branded it "silly".
It was reported on Saturday that Mr Barrett had 350 Instagram followers. This number had fallen to 270 tonight.
The British press seized upon the story. The Daily Mail reported that there was "Outrage as Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar's partner likens King Charles' coronation to Harry Potter in 'highly insulting social media posts".
The Guardian said that there were "Red faces in Ireland over coronation quips by Leo Varadkar’s partner".
READ NEXT:
Gardai promise probe after Dublin asylum seeker camp torched in violent protest
'I took on a Dublin Bus driver training session - here's what it takes to do the €815 per week job'
Ryan Tubridy says 'we were robbed' in Eurovision as he praises Wild Youth
Dublin Zoo offering discounted tickets this weekend to mark Endangered Species Day
Met Eireann forecasts showers and drizzle for parts of country before major U-turn
Get news updates direct to your inbox by signing up to our daily newsletter here
