Sir, - Wednesday, June 26th, 1996, was a sad day for our country. I met Veronica Guerin when she worked for the Sunday Business Post, I didn't know her well but our paths crossed on occasion. She was a very warm and, friendly person who was always smiling and had time to chat to everyone.
This murder is deeply disturbing and is a sad indication of the state of affairs in Ireland today - are we going to let these criminals have the amount of control and influence that they appear to have? I see a parallel between this assassination and the work of the Mafia in Italy.
What next - the murder of more journalists, judges, gardai politicians and anyone else who dares to stand up to these evil people and show them for what they are?
On Wednesday morning I read an article about a known Dublin criminal living it up in the library at Lillies Bordello, on Wednesday afternoon I learned of Veronica's murder. These two pieces of information made a very deep impression on me when considered together. Veronica had written about how many of these Dublin criminals live affluent lifestyles with expensive habits and accessories, there is obviously a fatal (literally) flaw in our justice system as it is almost totally failing to deal with this situation which has been worsening over the last couple of years, and now, has worsened considerably with this shocking and despicable murder.
I find, it depressing that even though the gardai appear to know the people involved in these Dublin gangs and the people behind them, they are effectively powerless. These particular criminals are able to carry out their daily business both illegal and legitimate with what appears to be comparative ease. They live in expensive houses, educate their children in private schools and have regular holidays. All this is done at the expense (both financial and social) of the rest of society.
This issue has to be addressed as soon as possible; the Minister for Justice, Nora Owen, must initiate change in the powers of the gardai, the Revenue Commissioners and the legislation needed to remove these people from our society.
Drugs cause nothing but misery.
There are areas in the inner cite which have been devastated, there are the addicts whose habits are fuelled by the activities of these criminals, their families and friends who suffer and suffer until they are left to pick up the pieces.
I realise that the drugs issue is much more complex than this, but the aim of this letter is not to stir up debate about the drugs situation in Dublin. It is to question how certain elements of the Dublin underworld appear to be living a parasitic lifestyle in their own distinct sinister society which operates totally outside the lawn of this country. They are "The Untouchables". - Yours, etc.,
Delgany,
Co Wicklow.