Twitter trolls slung insults at former Taoiseach Brian Cowen as he remains in intensive care.
But the haters got a good dressing-down from Mr Cowen’s political colleagues as his family kept a vigil by his hospital bed.
The Offaly-born politician, 59, remains in hospital today after falling seriously ill on Thursday night.
It is understood Mr Cowen, who served as Taoiseach between 2008 and 2011, had been experiencing ill health on Thursday night.
But vicious Twitter trolls took the opportunity to sling personal insults at Mr Cowen.
Former colleagues and friends came to Mr Cowen’s defence, branding the nay-sayers as “cold and heartless”.
Fiona O’Loughlin, Fianna Fail TD for Kildare south posted on the social media site: “Twitter at times can be a nasty place, but tonight I’ve seen a whole new level that is beneath contempt.
"Brian Cowen is seriously ill, news of his demise is wrong. Respect please, for a gravely ill man and his family at a very difficult time.”
TD for Dublin North-West Noel Rock also came to the former Taoiseach’s defence. He write on Twitter: “Life can be complicated. Politics can often be simplistic.
"Regardless of one’s political view, I think we, all of us, should be wishing Brian Cowen the best tonight.”
Another friend wrote: “The man served the country and he’s now a private citizen with a wife and children. Please show some decorum!”
And another queried what type of country Ireland has become, writing: “Whatever about politics, Brian Cowen deserves respect as a human being with a family who are in turmoil at his sudden illness.
"What Ireland do we live in where we don’t respect each other on an individual basis any more?”
On Friday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he hopes he makes a speedy recovery, saying: “I served in the Dail with Brian Cowen for a number of years and I really hope ... that he makes a speedy recovery.”
Mr Cowen has kept a relatively low profile since stepping down from national politics.
He spent 27 years in the Dail, serving as Minister for Labour, Defence, Foreign Affairs, Transport, Energy, Health and Finance.
