The callous and cowardly murder of Veronica Guerin revulsed and shocked the country 30 years ago today. It was a heinous act.

It was also extremely consequential, as both Veronica’s work and ultimately her murder, led to significant legislative and policing reform.

It motivated a much more aggressive approach by the State in how we confronted organised crime.  This resulted in the establishment of the Criminal Assets Bureau under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996 in addition to the enactment of the Proceeds of Crime Act 1996.

An Garda Siochana were also given new surveillance powers and the use of the non-jury Special Criminal Court was expanded to cover gangland crime trials.

The Criminal Assets Bureau’s remit, which continues today, is to target a person’s assets, wherever situated, which derive, or are suspected to derive, directly or indirectly, from criminal activity.

For the past 30 years criminal gangs and their revenue streams have been relentlessly pursued and dismantled by CAB.  Over those thirty years, CAB has returned more than €220 million to the State and deprived criminal organisations of significant sources of revenue.

Veronica’s legacy can still be seen in how Gardaí confront organised crime today. They are relentlessly pursuing criminal networks, here and across continents, with the same vigour as Veronica pursued the truth in her work.

This is leading to a reduction in major crimes and significant prosecutions. The recent sentencing of Sean McGovern and the continued dismantling of the Kinahan organised crime group stand as a testament to that.

So too is the fact that in the last 18 months, there has been no gun-related killings in Ireland.

Veronica Guerin’s sacrifice and legacy will never be forgotten by the State.