Armed Garda protection for judges

A number of senior judges are currently under armed Garda protection.

The Irish Timesunderstands that the security measures have been taken as a precautionary measure and not in response to a specific threat.

Judges hearing cases at the non-jury Special Criminal Court, which tries paramilitaries and certain gangland figures, are routinely given Garda protection, but others, including Paul Carney of the Central Criminal Court, have been extended Garda protection recently.

One Garda source said it was not unusual for judges from the higher courts to have armed security, particularly if they were presiding over controversial or high-profile cases, and that security provisions for the judiciary were under continual review.

"It depends on where they're living and what cases they're hearing. All of the circumstances would have to be looked at, but it's not unusual that they would have some form of protection."

This could be provided by unarmed, uniformed officers or by detectives who carry guns.

A Garda spokesman said that its policy was not to confirm specific security arrangements for any individual.

The spokesman added that any decision on armed security would be taken in consultation with the local chief superintendent in the judge's home district, the Courts Service and any other relevant agencies.

A spokesman for the Courts Service said it does not discuss security arrangements.