Northern Ireland

Fine Gael TD Richard Bruton turns heads with toned torso in Twitter video

Richard Bruton (67) was starring in a short video extolling the virtues of his local area for staycationers
Richard Bruton (67) was starring in a short video extolling the virtues of his local area for staycationers Richard Bruton (67) was starring in a short video extolling the virtues of his local area for staycationers

A FINE Gael TD has turned heads online after a tourism video showed off his toned torso.

Richard Bruton (67) was starring in a short promo, posted on the party's Twitter account, extolling the virtues of his local area for staycationers.

In the video, the Dublin Bay North TD describes the seaside stretch from Howth to Clontarf as the "jewel in the crown on the east coast of Ireland".

Mr Bruton is filmed walking on Howth Hill and cycling on the seafront as he tells viewers it is "a fantastic location if you want to stay at home this year".

However a section of the video, in which he dives into the water at Dollymount Strand, attracted huge interest online as viewers praised Mr Bruton's toned physique.

"If you need something a bit more high octane than cycling, why not join me and come in here for a dip in Dollymount?" the former minister asks in the video.

"Burn off all those extra calories for no cost whatever."

One Twitter user described him as "Richard 'Beefcake' Bruton", while another pondered "maybe we can look forward to an exercise video from ripper Bruton?"

"Nothing prepares you for Richard Bruton's six pack. Nothing," another tweet read.

Sharing the video, one Twitter user wrote: "Deeply disconcerting to learn that Richard Bruton is absolutely shredded."

Mr Bruton, the brother of former Taoiseach John Bruton, responded to the many tweets by joking: "I'm expecting an invasion of staycationers to the Northside after this!"

The video was promoting the Irish government's new 'stay and spend' initiative this autumn, where people can get tax back for holidaying at home.

It is not the first time a prominent Fine Gael politician has caused stir online by taking his top off.

In May, then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was pictured shirtless while picnicking with friends on a sunny day in Dublin's Phoenix Park.

The Fine Gael leader, now Tánaiste in the newly formed three-party coalition government with Fianna Fáil and the Greens, was happy to joke about his colleague being in the spotlight.

Sharing the video, he quipped: "Don't let Richard's beach bod put you off availing of the government's Stay and Spend initiative this autumn!"