AS MEMBERS of the public queued to sign books of condolence downstairs, the journalists at Independent Newspapers yesterday held a special union meeting to express their horror at Veronica Guerin's murder, extend their sympathies to her husband and child, and observe a minute's silence in her memory.
"It would be hard to imagine Veronica Guerin growing old. But if she had been allowed, she would have raged against the dying of the light," union officer Seamus Dooley said. "Instead, a very bright light has been extinguished.
It would be easy for us to rage in all directions today, but for the moment we must remember and salute our lost colleague. Journalists must never forget what Veronica stood for and must never let her cold blooded killers intimidate them," he said.
His views were echoed by the editor of the Sunday Independent, Aengus Fanning. "I hope her death will be a watershed in shaking the complacency of those in power.
"Veronica confronted some of the most ruthless and brutal people in this country, on her own. The public identified with her. She represented them against forces they could do nothing about. The public believed she was the only person trying to do something about it and for that she has paid an awful price," he said.
The shock and heartbreak at losing a colleague in such a brutal manner was obvious in the hushed newsroom, the anger at those responsible for her murder equally palpable.
The Evening Herald's security correspondent, visibly shaken by the killing, called on the editors of the papers to keep Ms Guerin's death in the headlines until someone was charged.
In the offices of the Sunday Independent a garda taking statements from her colleagues admitted that may never happen. "Killings by the criminal underworld are difficult to solve." The same garda had investigated the previous attack on Veronica Guerin. He believes he knew who shot her then, but no one was charged
The newspaper office has been inundated with calls of sympathy and solidarity. The partially preprinted front page of next week's Sunday Independent has been scrapped. They will have a special edition devoted to her memory.
An article she wrote about the associate of the man believed to have ordered her killing is still with the lawyers. They hope tot print it on Sunday.
"Every week she did battle with the lawyers. Sometimes she lost," said a colleague, Liam Collins. "Veronica wanted to put names and faces on anonymous criminals. We want to publish the last piece she wrote."
Throughout the day, hundreds of people filed into the lobby of Independent House to sign books of condolence and leave flowers and sympathy cards for her family.
The Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, joined the queue, expressing his sympathy to her colleagues and assuring the public that no effort would be spared in finding her killer.
Veronica Guerin had been denied the right to life, he said. She also joined a queue. Last year, at least 60 journalists were killed worldwide. One in four were women.
A memorial in Washington to journalists who have been murdered because of their work has 934 names etched on it. Veronica Guerin's name is to be added to the list.