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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.
God love her. Rip
We have lived through this. I want to try to say how anyone contemplating suicide has usually no idea of the tsunami of pain shock grief mental health troubles and huge expense follows for the family left behind.
If you cannot function and are in severe pain shame exhaustion – be a hero and ask for help. It is not an easy road but once you acknowledge you are powerless over this – you can take the pressure off yourself – seek help to rest and recover. Your Family would prefer this rather than lose you. Be a hero and stay here with us – please.
@Eddie G: Help isn’t always readily available. Tbh most of society doesn’t care about others. If you read most of the journal comments it’s quite clear
@Eddie G: excellent advice Eddie, well said.
@Diddles Daffy: that is not true . but when one is unwell the behaviour can antagonise others , push them away. Its not obvious to even the closest families when someone is severely unwell. In our experience a good GP us the best port of call. The public services can be tough but thats why it takes courage – if they manage to help with symtoms – the person gets a breather and the family gets a real chance to understand and support. And we deserve that chance.
@Eddie G: Well said Eddie. Great advice.
@Eddie G: i feel sorry for the lady who did not feel comfortable asking for help , maybe she did and no one listened . .Mental health is not easy and living with it is very difficult ,.I am saddened that you think that people who take there life have sense to understand the sadness and the questions it leaves family and friend’s behind , the brain , the ability to allow them to think that way stopped working that in there own head only see life in a very different way, the disease taking there own life . forcing them to believe its best for every one if they were not around … the mental chemicals that tell us that it will be ok are so mixed up that it goes the other way .as each of us are individuals the dose and time needed to get it correct to make them better he health service drs and all people who do help do there best sadly some never get that ..
to say its the persons fault is sadly wrong , that is like asking a car run on diesel to run on petrol from time to time , honestly its never going to work . you as family members friends you cannot know the pain that person goes through and how out of control of the mental illness takes , all you want to do is get better yet some time you only get short bursts of feeling great yet always fearing when it will end ,,at the same time trying to enjoy the brief times when you feel ok in your self …
the real hero is the person living with the disease . shame on you for not recognizing the real person in there suffering … Mental illness changes daily and over time .. best for every one is to learn more about the disease and treat the people , with a bit more respect and love . ….
Just terrible news for some one’s family and friends Rest in peace.
Jesus,that’s tough..but at least the family have a body ..may she rip.respect to the recovery team..great service in a horrible situation.
@Mark Hurson: The “University of Life” teaches all of us some very unpalatable facts and how to try to deal with them… Like when my sister-in-law, suffering severe post-natal depression, threw herself in front of a speeding bus in its fast bus lane in Dublin, killing herself. Like when my friend found his neighbour’s body underwater, pulled off that arm and all that followed for all involved in both events…
Life may not be happy-go-lucky for everybody but it’s still got to be lived, warts and all
@Canny Jem: Not everyone obviously shares your opinion. If someone is in agonising mental pain and not getting help. Maybe this feels like their only option
@Diddles Daffy: My reply was to Mark Huron who commented on a previous post I made, which has been deleted (which I’m glad was deleted. In hindsight I should never posted it, too graphic in content and possibly distressing to some readers. For once I thank the Journo’s editors for deleting it).
Your response above is out of context to my original post. But I agree, in great sadness, with your sentiments. I knew four people in my life who believed they has no other option.
today its best we all educate our selves about mental health and be more caring a society .the next time some one sits down for chat and is still complaining about the same thing they were talking or worried about last time you met , don’t switch off , listen and for once start to help that person with the situation and that may be having to spend time helping them to look at solutions they cannot see and they don’t know how to even start on be there commit the time and stay in touch don’t be selfish say its not your problem ,actually it is all our problem because we hear the call for help yet never recognize it … just because you are ok and life is good does not mean that some one very close is in same position , they are not , educate your self about suicide mental illness and stress then listen so you can help others
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