THE country came to a standstill at lunchtime yesterday to pay silent tribute to the murdered journalist, Veronica Guerin, and to Det Garda Jerry McCabe, who was killed in Adare three weeks ago.
Traffic came to a halt and trains and buses stopped as passengers paid their respects. Factory production lines stopped and office workers stood in solemn reflection on their courage.
Barristers in the Four Courts and gardai throughout the State observed the minute's silence. Politicians of all parties also stood in silence in the Dail.
News organisations remembered their dead colleague, and journalistic colleagues across Britain joined them in paying tribute to her bravery.
In Independent House workers gathered in the newsroom to remember Veronica Guerin. And a sub editor, Mr Sean Potts, played the lament Mna na hEireann on the tin whistle in a poignant ceremony.
Dozens of people travelled to the Naas Road where Ms Guerin was shot dead last Wednesday. Father Heber McMahon, the priest who married Ms Guerin and her husband Graham Turley, led the crowd in prayer.
Outside the Dail, members of the public left flowers and wreaths in protest at political inaction to the worsening crime problem. A postcard campaign was also launched. The organisers hope 1,000,000 people will send protest cards demanding that politicians take action to tackle the crime problem.