Final journey for fearless journalist

THE tiny airport church of Our Lady Queen of Heaven was far too small to contain the family members, friends and admirers of Veronica Guerin who gathered for the arrival of her remains yesterday evening.

But Dublin Airport chaplain Father Declan Doyle answered the question that was on many people's lips when, apologising to those outside, he explained it was the church in which she, her husband Graham Turley and her son Cathal had attended Mass each Sunday morning. "And whenever she had to travel abroad, her journey always started here," he said.

Aircraft took off and landed, hut the atmosphere around the church was quiet and respectful.

Seven-year-old Cathal was carried in by his father, Graham, and managed to smile for the photographers. His mother's remains were received into the church to the sound of a slow Carolan air, played on a tin whistle.

Later the whistle-player, Giovanna Slavati, sang the hymn Be Not Afraid, which could have been Veronica's motto. Father Doyle said it had indeed been chosen by her if anything should ever happen.

The same hymn was sung at the funeral of Det Garda Jerry McCabe three weeks ago, when Veronica had been one of the mourners. Last night Garda McCabe's son, John, was among the many who came to pay tribute to her.

The front pews of the church next to the family were occupied by journalists and representatives of Independent Newspapers, led by the company chairman, Dr Tony O'Reilly.

Politicians and other dignitaries sat behind, including the Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, and the leader of Fianna Fail, Mr Bertie Ahern. The large turnout from Fianna Fail was testimony to the family's strong connections with the party.

During the brief ceremony, Father Doyle said Veronica's death was one of those events that caused a nation to stop, to look at itself and to ask where it was going.

"Veronica's life, too, was one which asked questions. She raised questions about institutions of church and State. She also raised questions about those who work outside of institutions and outside of laws. These questions were often uncomfortable, sometimes awkward, difficult and even embarrassing. But they were ultimately important."

Her daily activity of research, writing and deadlines had been full of ordinariness, he added, but this ordinariness had turned out to be a matter of life and death.

"But even deeper than that, she dealt with matters that concern the life and death of our very society and our culture. The search for truth and sincerity and openness and tolerance, principles upon which a healthy society is built."

In the end, he said, it was Veronica's humanity that mattered, "her ability to love and allow others to love her" which was the measure by which we were all finally judged.

"From Veronica's life of love, especially in relation to Cathal, Graham and her family, we know that she has passed this test. She has answered these questions, these most important questions, and is now at home with Jesus Christ, which is the ultimate truth and the answer to all the questions which Veronica so earnestly pursued these last years."

Veronica Guerin will be buried today at Dardistown cemetery, after 10 a.m. Mass in the airport church. Aer Rianta has advised travellers flying out this morning to allow time for traffic delays.