TÁNAISTE Leo Varadkar is being guarded "round-the-clock" following death threats emanating from both sides of the border, according to reports.
The apparent tightening of the Fine Gael leader's security arrangements comes just days after he and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney were targeted in graffiti that appeared in loyalist areas of Belfast.
Mr Varadkar is also understood to have been the target for death threats, some of a homophobic nature, from far right, anti-lockdown protestors in the Republic.
As a result, his security measures are said to be currently greater than Taoiseach Micheál Martin, the Sunday Independent reported.
It is also reported that the PSNI have been in touch with their counterparts in the south regarding the recent spate of threats.
The PSNI it is investigating graffiti that appeared last week in loyalist areas targeting Mr Varadakar and Mr Coveney.
Daubed on walls in the east of the city, it was reported to have had the home addresses of both senior Fine Gael representatives.
Spokespersons for the ministers have declined to comment on the latest acts of vandalism.
Graffiti that threatened Mr Varadkar and warned the tánaiste not to cross the border was previously condemned after it appeared in January.
Police said they were aware of the latest graffiti, which is understood to have appeared on Tuesday at the junction of Newtownards Road and Belvoir Street, and also at commercial premises on the Newtownards Road.
"Relevant partner agencies have been informed and enquiries are ongoing," a PSNI statement said.
The sinister messages came amid growing unionist hostility to the Irish Sea border.
