Man accused of Irish crime journalist's murder

February 4, 1997
Web posted at: 7:10 p.m. EST (0010 GMT)

DUBLIN, Ireland (CNN) -- A 32-year-old Dublin man was charged Tuesday with the murder of Veronica Guerin, Ireland's top investigative reporter who was shot to death in an apparent contract killing last June. Paul Ward said nothing when the charge was read out to him in court, Dublin police said.

He has been in custody for months on charges of conspiracy to murder Guerin, who was then the crime correspondent of the Sunday Independent, but the earlier charges were withdrawn when the new charge was placed against him.

For years, Guerin's stories focused on Ireland's murky gangland, especially drug barons enriching themselves from a growing narcotic trade. Her killing shocked the public and brought about new legislation empowering the authorities to seize money and property owned by suspected criminals.

Reuters contributed to this report.

 

Related sites:

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

• Ireland On-Line
  • Tribute to Veronica Guerin R.I.P.
• Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
  • Ireland June 26, 1996 Veronica Guerin, Sunday Independent KILLED
  • CPJ Condemns Assassination of Leading Irish Journalist Veronica Guerin
• International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) Alert Service
  • Ifex Alert: Journalist Veronica Guerin killed

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