LET IT NOT BE IN VAIN!
3 Jul 1996
Editorial COMMENT
A colleague has been gunned down for doing her job. Veronica Guerin's brutal death has shocked and horrified the entire nation. But the most frightening aspect of the cold-blooded murder is that her killers will never be brought to justice.This is the general belief within the Garda Authorities and it seems the crime fighters do not have the necessary legislative muscle to tackle these low life gangsters.
The politicians must act now to ensure that the laws are strengthened to allow the police nail these culprits.
The death of a fine journalist has shaken the country. The repercussions from the slaying must be that who ever ordered the contract killing is hounded until they are caught for picking their nose if necessary. What ever it takes this godfather of crime must not get away with this killing.
The individual is known to the police. He has been named and photographed and yet he is free to walk the streets.
There has to be a way of bringing this murderer before the courts. If he cannot be prosecuted for his involvement in the killing then he should be investigated by the Revenue Commissioners and made account for the mass wealth he has accumulated.
Every stature of every Act should be studied to see where he could be prosecuted. And if the laws are not tough enough them the Government should act immediately to give the powers to the police to go after these criminals.
Reforms have been promised and no doubt they will be put in place. But they must be draconian in the extreme to put these drug barons out of business and behind bars.
Some politicians have warned of infringing citizens rights. These thugs have no rights. If there is a suspicion that people are dealing in drugs or laundering money there should be no question of considering their rights.
Veronica Guerin was a crusading journalist. The death of this mother and wife must cement all law-abiding citizens to play their part in countering the activities of criminal elements in our society.
In all of our towns and villages now, sadly, a selection of addictive drugs are freely available. The pushers are known. They must be weeded out. It would be a fitting tribute to Veronica Guerin if all of us were to report any drug related suspicions to the Garda confidential line.
We in the Press must continue to campaign so that the criminal class do not get control of society. Certainly this seems to be the case in parts of Dublin. And Veronica Guerin paid the ultimate price for exposing their activities.
The elected members of Dail Eireann must act in the national interest to
give the powers to the police and the courts to deal with these lords of the
underworld. Let her death not be in vain!
Connaught Telegraph - News - July 1996
Connaught Telegraph - Sport - July 1996
