It has been revealed that Taoiseach Simon Harris and two other cabinet members will soon get further armed security from Garda chiefs, reports The Mirror.
Following a high-level assessment of the ministers’ protection, The Mirror has verified that the additional security, which includes detectives equipped with tasers and machine guns, is being implemented.
According to sources, more armed cops will be sent in to guard Justice Minister Helen McEntee and Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman, who is in charge of integration and children’s issues, in addition to Fine Gael leader Mr. Harris, reports The Mirror.
When approached by The Mirror on Sunday, the Gardaí declined to comment on the ministerial security enhancement.
“It is not a decision that was taken lightly,” a source told us last night. “It is a major move to bring it in,” reports The Mirror.
A spokesman said: “An Garda Siochana does not comment on the security arrangements of any named individual.” But we have established that a so-called escort car, containing two armed Special Detective Unit officers, will be allocated to each of the three senior politicians on the orders of Michael McElgunn, who is the Assistant Commissioner in charge of Crime & Security Intelligence Service,” reports The Mirror.
Protecting high-ranking officials and other VIPs is part of his duties as the senior officer in charge of state security. Mr. Harris will now always travel in a convoy of three Garda cars as a result of the decision.
An armed Garda driver from the force’s Liaison and Protection branch already drives his official limousine. Two SDU policemen in an escort car, who are armed with Heckler and Koch MP7 machine pistols, tasers, and semi-automatic handguns, are now providing backup for that protection officer, reports The Mirror.
Commissioner McElgunn, however, has now determined that Mr. Harris will be escorted by a second SDU vehicle, which will have two more armed detectives.
According to sources, two SDU escort cars are rarely used and are typically saved for visiting heads of state.
According to reports, Ministers McEntee and O’Gorman will also get SDU escort cars in addition to Mr. Harris. Like all other ministers, they currently drive an official vehicle and are accompanied by a one-armed Garda Protection Officer, reports The Mirror.
However, two armed detectives will now follow the two ministers at all times in an escort car. According to sources, the assessment was ordered some months ago and had nothing to do with the recent assault on Dublin West departing TD Mr. O’Gorman during a canvassing event in Blanchardstown two weeks ago.
Karl Ronan, 45, has entered a guilty plea to assaulting the minister in Erris Square, Waterville, Blanchardstown, on Saturday, November 2, reports The Mirror.
In addition, Mr. Ronan entered a guilty plea to a public order offence and to criminal damage to a clipboard that Mr. O’Gorman was in possession of at the time. After entering a guilty plea, he was freed on bail at Blanchardstown District Court on Monday, November 4. He will be sentenced on December 17.
According to sources, Gardaí have long been worried about Mr. O’Gorman’s personal safety, particularly in light of the abuse he gets on social media.
Due to her role as Justice Minister, departing Meath TD Helen McEntee has also been given more protection, reports The Mirror.
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