Dublin, Ireland – Former Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar faced a series of death threats and hoax bomb calls during his tenure, a recent revelation uncovered. One of the incidents involved threats to his newly acquired €800,000 residence in Dublin, which he shares with his longtime partner, Matt Barrett. The threats prompted authorities to conduct searches of Varadkar’s home to ensure its safety.
According to sources, Varadkar displayed courage in the face of adversity and did not allow the barrage of abuse to affect him. Despite his resilience, the constant public scrutiny took a toll on Varadkar, leading to his decision to resign from office. Reports indicate that Varadkar received a higher number of threats and abuse compared to other politicians, with most originating from far-right groups.
The outgoing Fine Gael leader had addressed concerns about his security and the threats against him just a week prior, in response to a written parliamentary question posed by Independent Laois/Offaly TD Carol Nolan. Varadkar assured that the Department of the Taoiseach collaborates closely with the Defence Forces and An Garda Siochana to ensure the safety of government officials and staff within Government buildings.
As Varadkar steps down and Taoiseach elect Simon Harris prepares to assume office on April 9, heightened security measures have been implemented around Harris and his family. Security details include 24-hour protection at Harris’ residence in Greystones, Co Wicklow, where he resides with his wife and children, with armed Garda bodyguards assigned to protect him at all times.
Previous incidents targeting Harris’s residence, such as protests, have led to increased security measures. A Garda source emphasized the importance of taking all threats seriously, regardless of the individual holding the position of Taoiseach, citing the prevalence of animosity and threats on social media directed towards public figures. The source highlighted the need for comprehensive security protocols in place to address any potential security incidents.