The following is the full text of the statement yesterday by Mr James Guerin:
AS a brother of the late Veronica Guerin, I would like this inquest to examine what steps if any were taken by Independent Newspapers Plc in order to protect Veronica while she was carrying out her duties for her employer.
This examination of the circumstances is necessary as, "the continuance or possible recurrence of which would be prejudicial to the health or safety of the public", as set out in Section 40 of The Coroners Act, 1962.
I am aware that there are those who would be happier if these matters were not raised at all, however, I, feel a sense of duty to raise certain issues which I believe contributed to the death of my sister.
I would also like to point out that I, am not coming to the inquest just with the benefit of hindsight. As I have stated before in public, I had sought legal advice seven months before Veronica died to see if I, could force her employers to act in a more responsible manner. I was extremely concerned that the pressure to produce controversial newspaper articles on crime and well known criminals was placing newspaper circulation and revenues before her personal safety.
There are laws to keep safe people at work and when this is overlooked or neglected it results in the worker and in this case the journalist being exposed to danger for pure commercial gain. This in my view is what happened in Veronica's case and is totally unacceptable.
The Health and Safety at Work Act, 1987 states, Part II of the Act, Section 6 (1): It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of all his employees.
Section 6 (2) (e): ... the provision of such information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety and health at work of his employees;
Section 6 (2) Q):
the preparation and revision as necessary, of adequate plans to be followed in emergencies.
I have formed the view that these provisions were totally overlooked by Veronica's employers.
The question ,of the lack of bodyguard protection has been raised in relation to Veronica. Veronica did not have a bodyguard. She did, however, have Garda protection for a short time after she was shot on two occasions. She herself requested that they stop escorting her because a journalist with criminal sources could hardly travel with security provided by the gardai.
She would not, however, have had this difficulty had a private security firm been provided by her employer to protect her.
The question that must be asked is that if Veronica had such protection would she be alive today. I do note that the editor of Sunday Independent said in an interview with The Irish Times on August 5th, 1996, that they were now examining the possibility of supplying bodyguards where journalists are working in dangerous situations.
What concerns me most of all is that the management of Independent Newspapers Plc took more care to protect the circulation of the newspaper than they did to protect Veronica. Both the editor and deputy editor of the Sunday Independent have admitted in interviews that the reason they did not say no to her assignments or reassign her to other work was that they feared Veronica might leave them.
The, question that must be asked is when does an employer or newspaper editor say no or, take action when the employee is exposed to excessive danger. I would never try to suggest that stories should not be written but only that proper steps are taken to protect those pursuing the stories on their behalf.
We would like an opportunity to question those who can provide the answers and hope that this opportunity is granted to, us. ,We would have liked to avoid bringing this matter up in this way and would have been happier had the employer dealt with these issues, but despite all efforts this was not possible.
The questions to be asked by this inquest include not only the issues of how, where and when Veronica Guerin died but what were the circumstances of her death and what steps need to be taken to ensure that such a tragedy cannot take place again.
Veronica as a daughter, sister, wife and mother is missed by all of her family. I feel she would want these questions asked.