Sir, - I wish to express my shock and abhorrence at the brutal murder of Veronica Guerin. After the initial shock which was widespread, I feel a great sense of anger and frustration. Anger at the audacity and cowardly way in which someone who was making a positive and worthy contribution to society was taken from us by scumbags who bring only misery and pain.
The sense of frustration is from the lack of a meaningful response from the powers that be. The resources available to the gardai, who incidentally are doing their best, are not adequate to deal with what should be seen for what it is a national emergency. The Minister for Justice, Nora Owen, needs to look not at the resources, but at the restraints under which the gardai have to operate.
I would like to echo the pledge made by Irish and British editors and take this opportunity to express my solidarity with all journalists who bravely contribute to the freedom and democracy which we all enjoy. - Yours, etc.,
Editor,
The Big Issues,
Amiens Street,
Dublin 1.