Leo Varadkar confirms he has received several credible death threats

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar made his comments on Friday after junior minister Mary Butler disclosed that gardaí are investigating a death threat she had received this summer.

Leo Varadkar has confirmed that he has received a number of credible death threats. However, the Taoiseach has said the threats need to be put in context and he wouldn't discourage anyone from getting involved in politics or public life.

"In terms of credible death threats there have been one or two — the gardaí deal with them," he said.

I think the first death threat made against me, I was probably only county councillor at the time, so that was a while ago and it wasn't a credible one. 

"I think we need to have some perspective when it comes to these things. Nobody likes to have a death threat made against them."

Speaking at the Irish Arts Center in New York, where he announced €2m in new funding for the facility, Mr Varadkar said: "I would not discourage anyone from being involved in politics or being involved in public life because people make idle threats against each other all the time.

"I imagine it happens to journalists and teachers and nurses and business people, so I think it's important that we put that in perspective."

Asked about potential changes to security around Leinster House, including a wider buffer zone, after protests this week, Mr Varadkar said: "The Garda Commissioner and the gardaí are the people who are most qualified to carry out a security assessment and determine what is appropriate.

"I think it is really important to get the balance right. 

"The level of threat against politicians and our staff has gone up, there are increasing security concerns. But I think whatever we do, it's important that we don't go too far."