Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 5462Attempted murder (foiled) · Co. Dublin

Far-right plot to murder Leo Varadkar foiled by Gardaí

Gardaí mounted a high-alert security operation after intelligence revealed a far-right plot to assassinate Leo Varadkar in early 2022. The plot, involving a group of far-right radicals obtaining guns, was abandoned after Gardaí reinstated his full armed guard and increased security around his residence in south central Dublin.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA group of far-right radicals were in the process of obtaining guns for the assassination attempt. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereExtra security was poured around Varadkar's residence in south central Dublin. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whenThe conspiracy came to light while Varadkar was serving as Tanaiste, after he had passed leadership to Michael Martin. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí mounted an emergency security operation after receiving intelligence of a far-right plot to murder Leo Varadkar. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationVaradkar's SDU detail was abruptly reinstated at the start of 2022 due to the imminent murder threat. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherThe plot was described as the most significant danger to an Irish politician in many years. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherThe planned hitman was an ex-soldier from a top-tier foreign military unit, not the Irish Defence Forces. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherThe far-right group abandoned their plan after realising there was extra protection on Varadkar. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherArmed protection for the entire 15-member cabinet was reinstated in late 2022 after being discontinued in 2011. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherA high-level Garda review is scrutinising the process of ministerial security, with doubling of protection considered the most probable outcome. (dublinlive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 Jul2024
    Otherdublinlive.ie, first report
    Far-right plot to murder Leo Varadkar foiled by Gardai

    Reports the foiling of a far-right assassination plot against Leo Varadkar, details of the security response, and the broader review of cabinet security arrangements.

    victim, Leo Varadkar, male, irish (judged from name)Leo Varadkarsuspect, male