Varadkar warns gangland criminals: 'We will take fight to you head on'

In his speech at the Fine Gael ard fheis, the Tánaiste was glowing in his praise of Taoiseach Micheál Martin and ruled out a future coalition with Sinn Féin

Fine Gael leader and Tánaiste Leo Varadkar meets attendees at the Technological University of the Shannon in Athlone, Co Westmeath, for the Fine Gael ard fheis. Picture: Damien Storan/PA Wire

Law and order dominated Tánaiste Leo Varadkar' speech to Fine Gael delegates at the party ard fheis in Athlone, with Mr Varadkar telling gangland criminals the Government will "take the fight to you head on".

Following a number of months that have seen the party's reputation for being tough on crime diminished, Mr Varadkar told delegates that Fine Gael and the Government will double the maximum sentence for assault causing harm, from five years to 10 years; increase the maximum sentence for conspiracy to murder, from 10 years to life; allow judges impose minimum tariffs for life sentences for the most serious crimes; and "fight back against gender-based and sexual violence of all forms".