Gilligan, Holland claim libel by RTÉ, Herald

Convicted drug dealer John Gilligan and former gang member Patrick "Dutchy" Holland have lodged libel lawsuits totalling nearly €3 million over media coverage of their roles in the death of journalist Veronica Guerin.

The papers were lodged in the High Court in London just before noon yesterday, ten years to the day since the crime reporter was shot dead by a pillion passenger on a motorbike as she sat in her car at traffic lights on Dublin's Naas Road.

John Gilligan arriving with gardai in Ireland in 2000

Holland is claiming defamation by Independent News And Media Limited ( Evening Herald) and columnist Gerry O'Carroll. He is seeking damages of £1 million (€1.45 million).

Gilligan and his wife, Geraldine, have lodged a writ for defamation against RTÉ and Guerin's brother, Jimmy Guerin. They are also seeking £1 million (€1.45 million).

Gilligan was acquitted of Guerin's murder in 2001. He was jailed for 28 years for drug dealing, but this was reduced on appeal to 20 years. Earlier this month he was given a further two years for threatening to kill a prison officer. He is due for release in 2013 when he will be 61.

Holland (66) was released from a 12-year prison sentence for drug dealing in April. He was convicted in November 1997 of possession of cannabis for the purposes of sale or supply within the State on a date unknown between October 1st, 1995, and October 6th, 1996.

He was sentenced to 20 years, but this was reduced on appeal to 12 years. During Holland's trial, Garda Marion Cusack, who arrested him, stated her belief that he was the man who shot Guerin.

"Accusations have been coming from all quarters against John Gilligan and Patrick Holland and others yet in essence the substance of it all is that the real killers are free," said the men's lawyer, Giovanni Di Stefano.

"Mr Gilligan may be incarcerated but that is not a free for all against those that wish to profit from his misfortune. Mrs Gilligan is not and never has been in custody.

"Patrick Holland has never even been charged and as a direct result of his incarceration, his poor wife, Angela, may God bless her, died and Patrick Holland was never even allowed to go to her funeral."

The only man jailed for the murder, Brian Meehan, begins his appeal against this conviction and sentence today. In addition to his life sentence for the murder, Meehan also received sentences ranging from five to 20 years for drugs and firearms offences. He is still in Portlaoise Prison.

The anniversary of Ms Guerin's death was marked last night with the observation of a minute's silence at the scene of her killing.

She had been mounting a high-profile campaign against Ireland's drug barons in the Sunday Independentnewspaper.