Coalition colleagues distance themselves from Varadkar's comments on arming gardaí 

OUT OF STEP: The Green and Fianna Fáil leaders Eamon Ryan and Micheál Martin have distanced themselves from comments about arming An Garda Síochána by Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar, centre. Picture: Sam Boal

Fianna Fáil and the Green Party have ruled out arming rank-and-file gardaí after Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said he would back an armed force if Garda Commissioner Drew Harris requested it.

Weekend comments by Mr Varadkar have drawn opposition from his fellow Government leaders, coalition TDs, and Garda representative associations, who made it clear there is no appetite for such a move.