Veronica Guerin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Veronica Guerin
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Guerin in the 1990s
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| Born | 5 July 1959 Dublin, Ireland
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| Died | 26 June 1996 (aged 36) Naas Dual Carriageway, Newlands Cross, Dublin, Ireland
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| Cause of death | Gunshot wounds |
| Education | Trinity College Dublin |
| Occupation | Accountant, journalist |
| Years active | 1990–1996 |
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Notable credit(s)
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| Spouse(s) |
Graham Turley
(m. 1985) |
| Children | 1 |
Veronica Guerin Turley (born 5 July 1959 – died 26 June 1996) was a brave Irish journalist. She was known for reporting on serious crime. Veronica was born in Dublin, Ireland.
She was a talented athlete in school. Later, she played for Ireland's national teams in both football and basketball. After studying to be an accountant, she ran her own business. Then, she worked in politics for a short time. In 1990, she became a reporter. She wrote for several newspapers, including the Sunday Independent. In 1994, she started writing important stories about organized crime. Sadly, in 1996, she was shot and killed while in her car. Her death shocked Ireland and led to many arrests.
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Who was Veronica Guerin?
Veronica Guerin was born to Christopher and Bernadette Guerin. Her family called her "Ronnie." She grew up in Artane, Dublin, with her four brothers and sisters. She went to St. Mary's secondary school. There, she was very good at sports.
Veronica's Athletic Talents
Veronica played basketball and camogie, which is an Irish sport. When she was 15, she played in the All-Ireland football finals. She even played for the Ireland women's national basketball team. She also represented the Republic of Ireland women's national football team. She played against the English team in 1981.
Her Education and Early Career
After school, Veronica studied to become an accountant. She went to Trinity College Dublin. Her father hired her to work at his company. After he passed away, she started her own business in 1983. This company helped people and businesses with their public image. She ran it for seven years.
Working in Politics
From 1983 to 1984, Veronica worked for a political group called Fianna Fáil. She was a secretary for them. She also became a personal assistant to Charles Haughey, a famous Irish politician. She even went on holidays with his children. In 1987, she helped with an election campaign for Seán Haughey.
Veronica's Journalism Career
In 1990, Veronica decided to try something new. She became a journalist. She started writing for newspapers like the Sunday Business Post and Sunday Tribune. She loved getting information directly from people. She would go straight to the source of a story. She was very dedicated to her work.
Reporting on Crime
Veronica built good relationships with both the police and people involved in crime. Both sides respected her hard work. They often gave her detailed information. She also reported on the activities of serious groups in Ireland.
From 1994, she started writing about criminals for the Sunday Independent. She used her accounting skills to track money made from illegal activities. To avoid legal problems, she used nicknames for the criminals. This way, she could still tell her stories.
In 1995, Veronica received a special award. It was called the International Press Freedom Award. This award recognized her bravery as a journalist.
Her Tragic Death
On 26 June 1996, Veronica was driving her red car. She stopped at a red traffic light near Newlands Cross in Dublin. Two men on a motorcycle followed her. One of them shot her. This was a planned killing because of her work.
Her funeral was held on 29 June 1996. Many important people attended, including Ireland's leader, John Bruton. The funeral was shown live on TV. A few days later, workers across Ireland held a moment of silence for her. Veronica is buried in Dardistown Cemetery.
Veronica's Family Life
Veronica married Graham Turley in 1985. They had a son named Cathal, who was born in 1990. Veronica loved the Manchester United football team. She was very proud of a photo she had with famous player Eric Cantona.
Her husband, Graham Turley, remarried in 2011. Their son, Cathal Turley, later moved to Dubai. As of 2021, he manages an Irish pub there.
Remembering Veronica Guerin
Many people remember Veronica Guerin for her courage. There are several memorials to her.
Memorials and Awards
- A statue of Veronica Guerin stands in the Dubh Linn Gardens. These gardens are located near Dublin Castle.
- In 1997, her name was added to the Freedom Forum Journalists Memorial. This memorial honors journalists who died doing their job. Her husband spoke at the ceremony. He said Veronica stood for the freedom to write the truth.
- In 2000, Veronica was named one of the 50 World Press Freedom Heroes. This honor recognized her as a hero for press freedom over the past 50 years.
- In 2007, a special scholarship was created in her name. The Veronica Guerin Memorial Scholarship helps students who want to study investigative journalism.
Films and Books About Her
Veronica's story has inspired films and books:
- The film When the Sky Falls (2000) was based on her story.
- Another film, Veronica Guerin (2003), starred Cate Blanchett as Veronica.
- A book called Veronica Guerin: The Life and Death of a Crime Reporter was published in 1998.
See also
In Spanish: Veronica Guerin para niños
