Guerin, Veronica (1959–1996)

Irish investigative journalist, born in Dublin. Having begun her career as an accountant with close links to the Fianna Fáil political party, Guerin came late to journalism, beginning to write for major Irish Sunday newspapers from 1990 onwards. Several journalistic scoops preceded her decision to become Ireland's most probing investigative journalist specializing in the exposure of the Irish drugs underworld. Her remarkable reports for the Sunday Independent from 1994 led to threats, at least one murder attempt, and eventually to her assassination on 26 June 1996.

Guerin's murder prompted a massive reaction from the state and the public at large, which has led to the vigorous suppression of the trade in drugs and the arrest and conviction of several leading criminals.