Round-the-clock armed garda protection for Varadkar after 'credible' death threats issued against him

It is the responsibility of the Special Detective Unit (SDU) to provide armed protection in the form of a full-time SDU driver to the Tánaiste of the day.

However, due to a slew of recent threats, including some of a homophobic nature, Mr Varadkar now warrants a full-time close protection detail from the SDU, it is understood. This entails a 24/7 armed garda detail, separate to his garda driver.

For security reasons, this newspaper cannot report specifics on the exact nature of the Tánaiste's level of protection.

It is understood the recent death threats he received were "particularly nasty" and came from a number of different individuals. Some people who made the threats have been identified as having the potential to attempt to cause the Tánaiste physical harm, according to sources.

Some of those involved are believed to be far-right extremists, who hold homophobic views as well as being anti-lockdown and anti-facemask advocates.

But not all of the death threats are from the far-right, a source added, and while many of the threats have been made online, this is "not the only way" the threats have been issued.

One security source explained: "For obvious reasons, not much can be divulged as this is a security issue of national importance. But it is fair to say gardaí do not ramp up any member of Government's armed security to this level unless there is good reason. This is being taken extremely seriously."

Taoiseach Micheál Martin is also protected by a close protection detail from the SDU. But this paper understands that the Tánaiste's level of protection is currently "higher" than the Taoiseach's because of the threat level against him.

While is it not unusual for members of Government to receive threats, each is evaluated on its own merits to determine whether it is credible.

"A full evaluation of every threat received is carried out. Some of the threats against the Tánaiste are coming from people who are already on Garda radar because of their involvement in extremism linked to some of the recent anti-lockdown protests," added a source.

A spokesman for the Tánaiste declined to comment when contacted about the death threats, saying: "Security arrangements for all ministers is a matter for An Garda Síochána."

A spokesman for Garda Headquarters said it could not comment on the security arrangements for VIPs, which includes members of Government.

SDU bodyguards are also tasked with protecting President Michael D Higgins, with an armed team accompanying him on official visits around Ireland and internationally. The Justice Minister, Chief Justice of Ireland and Director of Public Prosecutions are also provided with a full-time armed SDU driver.

All Government ministers and former presidents and taoisigh are provided with armed protection and transport when their security is deemed under threat, otherwise it is reserved for official State occasions.

Ambassadors and high-ranking foreign diplomats in Ireland are also given varying levels of protection by the SDU when their safety or security is deemed "at risk". Foreign diplomatic embassies and residences are also protected by the unit, including that of the United States, United Kingdom and Israel.

Separately, a number of threats of violence have been made by loyalist paramilitaries against Mr Varadkar, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Foreign Minister Simon Coveney as the Brexit fallout intensifies. One senior UDA member told this newspaper that "nobody is off limits".

Loyalists have threatened to launch "an incendiary campaign and sending letter bombs to Irish politicians" if the Northern Ireland protocol isn't scrapped.

"If Micheál Martin and Leo Varadkar don't get rid of the protocol, they will face the wrath of loyalism," said one loyalist.

Another convicted terrorist has warned that loyalists are incensed by the Irish Sea Border and are blaming the Irish Government.

Described as the "new enemies of Ulster", loyalists have also warned that if the politicians ignore them, "the more that fury will grow".

Last week Mr Varadkar's home address was scrawled across a wall - weeks after a death threat appeared elsewhere in Belfast, while Mr Coveney's home address was also painted on to a brick wall.

A senior PSNI source said the organisation has been sharing information with gardaí on the intimidation and threats directed at Mr Varadkar and Mr Coveney.

"We take this very seriously. We have statutory obligations that when something like that goes up, we have to share the information with our partners. In respect of the graffiti about Mr Varadkar and Mr Coveney, we have already spoken to the guards."

The police officer said they will be monitoring the threat level against the politicians and reporting to their colleagues in the south. Other PSNI sources also describe loyalist threats as "bluster."

The Loyalist Communities Council - which represents the Ulster Volunteer Force, Ulster Defence Association and Red Hand Commando - wrote to British prime minister Boris Johnson earlier this month to withdraw its support for the Good Friday Agreement, which effectively ended the Troubles in 1998. David Campbell, who chairs the group, says the "blame" for deepening tensions should be placed on Dublin.

"Varadkar and Coveney, in our view, were malicious and mischievous in misrepresenting the Brexit agreement to the European Union as completely one-sided," he says.

He claims the island is now "approaching a very dangerous situation". "Dangerous in that unless it is dealt with politically, politics will be deemed ineffective and people will therefore look to other means to demonstrate."

When contacted about the threats, a spokesperson for the Taoiseach said he would not be commenting.