This is the hut which houses a '24/7' garda stationed at the home of former Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave, more than a month after his death.

The hut became the source of a debate on Friday, after a woman rang RTE Radio One's Liveline questioning why a garda is still stationed at the late Cosgrave's home.

"Our taxes are paying for this," she told the radio programme.

The former Fine Gael leader passed away on October 4 in Tallaght Hospital following an illness.

A concerned member of the public revealed on Friday that a garda has been stationed at the home Mr Cosgrave lived in in Templeogue, Dublin with his late wife, Vera.

Pictured by Independent.ie, the prefab hut is located to the right of the gate to the residence, named 'Beechpark'.

The single-roomed building has a single door and windows on each side.

The Taoiseach's former home, now understood to be an empty bungalow, is visible at the end of the lane.

Mr Cosgrave led a Fine Gael-Labour coalition between 1973 and 1977, when he stepped down following Fianna Fail's landslide election victory.

One Liveline listener said today; "That guard has to sit there and they can't do anything about any other crimes as they have to stay at their station.

"It's a waste of revenue and it's a waste of resources, why can't they release that garda to go elsewhere and hire a security firm if they want?

"It's ridiculous and a total waste of taxpayers' money. What are they protecting, an empty bungalow?"

A garda spokesman confirmed to RTE: "There is still a 24/7 365 Garda presence outside the home of the late Liam Cosgrave who was Taoiseach in 1977."

Independent.ie has contacted gardai for comment

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