Today marks 20 years since Veronica Guerin was murdered.

An investigative journalist, she focused on druglords and gangland crime – highlighting the devastating impact drugs have on communities.

Her work on following the proceeds of crime in order to tackle criminals is credited with the creation of the Criminal Assets Bureau.

Veronica was shot while in her car on the Naas dual carriageway on June 26 1996.

The Secretary of the National Union of Journalists in Ireland Seamus Dooley said 20 years on, the challenges faced by Veronica remain: “It is dispiriting to know that thugs are still a major problem within the country.

“But at the same time Veronica’s legacy is determination in the face of obstacles.

“It is difficult to be optimistic given that we have had so many killings this year but Veronica’s great mantra was we just got to keep going.”