Despite resigning as Taoiseach over seven months ago, Leo Varadkar continues to receive armed Garda protection. The Irish Mirror reports that the former Fine Gael leader is transported in an official Garda car driven by an armed officer. Garda sources cite a significant threat from far-right activists as the reason for maintaining this security measure.
Leo Varadkar is still being given armed Garda protection – even though he quit as Taoiseach more than seven months ago, it has emerged.
All former Taoisigh used to keep their armed driver and Garda car after they left the post – but the practice was discontinued in 2011 at the height of the financial crisis gripping the country at the time. “The assessment was that there was still a requirement for the MPU to look after him,” a source said last night.
The plot was uncovered when Mr Varadkar was acting as Tánaiste in early 2022, as part of a rotating Taoiseach deal with Fianna Fail.All ministers have a Protection Officer, but serving Taoisigh also have an armed Special Detective Unit escort car. News of the decision to keep armed protection on Mr Varadkar also comes a week after we revealed that gardai are increasing security for Taoiseach Simon Harris and two other cabinet ministers.
Leo Varadkar Taoiseach Garda Protection Security Threat Far-Right Activists
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