Crossword Genius

Showing an ironic sort of loving care, secret minder fiddled with electronic implant (6,7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tender mercies

'showing an ironic sort of loving care' is the definition.
(ironic term for poor or dangerous treatment)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Another definition for tender mercies that I've seen is " You only throw yourself on these belonging to another in extremis!".)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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