Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

PA
gangland violence

'One Veronica Guerin, her murder, her sacrifice, should be enough'

There are questions now about the effectiveness of measures introduced after the journalist was killed 20 years ago.

TWENTY YEARS ON from the brutal murder of journalist Veronica Guerin, questions are being asked about the effectiveness of measures introduced to tackle gangland activity since she was killed.

In the first of three RTÉ documentaries, former government minister Ruairí Quinn said there is “a real crisis” in Ireland and specifically in Dublin.

“I think what we have to do, and the current generation of young politicians are going to have to look at ways of doing it, they are going to have to do what we did in the past but this time it has to be done at a European-wide level,” he commented.

We don’t need another Veronica Guerin. One Veronica Guerin, her murder, her sacrifice, should be enough. It was enough in the beginning, the question now is: ‘is it enough still?’

Disruption

In response to Guerin’s murder at the hands of the Gilligan gang, the legislation setting up the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) was created and the unit has been working since then to disrupt the activities of these dangerous criminals.

This disruption, however, has not been enough to stop them, according to former CAB chief Felix McKenna.

“It is difficult to pinpoint what has gone wrong. In 1996 we caused massive disruption to organised crime and [CAB is] still at it 20 years later,” he said.

“The Criminal Assets Bureau is still causing massive disruption to organised crime. Disruption in itself does not dismantle the organisation. Really long term these people need to be convicted of major crime. They need to be sent to prison and they need to be kept there.”

The slain journalist’s husband Graham Turley also took part in the documentary series said he believes that the situation will “steamroll on and on” when there is crime, drugs and the huge sums of money that go with that.

“We had all these promises from the ministers at the time and it was all going to be done and dusted. Twenty years down the road we are back to stage one now, it is getting to the stage where there is literally a shooting on the streets every day of the week.”

Veronica Guerin: A Legacy will air tonight at 9.35pm on RTÉ One. 

Read: Veronica Guerin’s son: ‘My mother never wanted to be a victim.’>

Read: Veronica Guerin’s killer has application against his conviction rejected>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Your Voice
Readers Comments
23
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds