Tanaiste says Government 'can't be too careful' with Ministers' safety amid 'lone wolf' fears
The Irish Mirror revealed on Tuesday a review of the current ministerial protection system is underway at Garda HQ and is likely to result in each cabinet member soon having two full-time armed bodyguards.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said that the Government “can’t be too careful” when it comes to Government Ministers' safety as he admitted there are concerns about a potential “lone wolf attack”.
It comes after the Irish Mirror revealed on Tuesday a review of the current ministerial protection system is underway at Garda HQ and is likely to result in each cabinet member soon having two full-time armed bodyguards.
The review comes less than two years after all 15 cabinet members were given an armed Garda driver in October 2022.
Asked about the review in Nairobi, Kenya, Mr Martin said that Gardaí will continuously examine security arrangements for Ministers.
READ MORE: Garda bosses considering plan to double number of armed detectives protecting cabinet ministers
“We've just been through local elections in Ireland and European elections,” he stated.
“It has to be said, the vast majority of engagement with the public was very good, very positive, friendly, courteous. There were some elements and some candidates were verbally attacked and that's unacceptable. The Gardaí will continually review security arrangements for politicians and for ministers. Some have higher levels of threat than others.
“But we can never be too careful. The fear is always a lone wolf-type attack. That’s something that the Gardaí will keep under review.”
Mr Martin also expressed concern over the attempted assassination attempt on Former US President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania last weekend. Thomas Matthew Crooks was shot dead by a Secret Service sniper after allegedly opening fire from a nearby rooftop. One person was killed during the shooting at the Trump rally, which saw a shot hitting Mr Trump’s ear.
Mr Martin said that it was an “attack on democracy”.
“It is extremely worrying when a 20-year-old in the States can get hold of a very violent weapon, a semi-automatic rifle, get as close to a President as he did and attempt to kill former President Trump,” the Tánaiste said.
“I mean, that has shocked people. Obviously, the United States [and] the FBI will investigate that. It's an attack on democracy and it's an attack on the conduct of public debate, freedom of association and so forth.”
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