Ireland Kildare murder killer ordered to break links with Gilligan
Veronica Guerin, a 36-year-old woman, was shot several times at point blank range while sitting in her car at traffic lights on the Naas dual carriageway in Co Kildare on 26 June 1996. Brian Meehan, 58, drove hitman Patrick 'Dutchy' Holland on a motorbike to kill her, and John Gilligan ordered the hit. Meehan was the only person convicted of the murder in November or December 1999 and was given a life sentence, while Gilligan was charged but found not guilty. Meehan was turned down for parole in November 2023 and is now serving his sentence at Shelton Abbey open prison in Co Wicklow, where the Independent Parole Board has granted him temporary day releases on the condition that he break all links with Gilligan. He is entitled to re-apply for parole in July 2025.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced1 Sep
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Veronica Guerin, a 36-year-old woman, was shot several times at point blank range while sitting in her car at traffic lights.
- Brian Meehan, 58, drove hitman Patrick 'Dutchy' Holland on a motorbike to kill Guerin, and John Gilligan ordered the hit.
- Where
- The murder took place on the Naas dual carriageway in Co Kildare.
- When
- The murder occurred on 26 June 1996.
- Charges
- Meehan was the only person convicted of Guerin's murder in November or December 1999.
- In court
- John Gilligan was charged over the murder but found not guilty.
- Meehan was turned down for parole in November 2023 and is entitled to re-apply in July 2025.
- The Independent Parole Board granted Meehan temporary day releases with the condition that he break all links with John Gilligan and other serious criminals.
- Sentence
- Meehan was given a life sentence and has served 26 years in prison.
- Other details
- Meehan has been released five times for a day and has spent the last two years at Shelton Abbey open prison in Co Wicklow.
- The Guerin family can make a submission objecting to any release.
30 statements extracted from the articles
- whatBrian Meehan is the only killer jailed for the murder of Veronica Guerin and is set to start day releases from prison. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatBrian Meehan is serving a life sentence for the murder of Veronica Guerin in 1996 (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMeehan is 58 years old (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMeehan drove hitman Patrick Dutchy Holland on a motorbike to kill Veronica Guerin (irishmirror.ie)
- whatJohn Gilligan ordered the hit on Veronica Guerin (irishmirror.ie)
- whereMeehan has spent the last two years at Shelton Abbey open prison in Co Wicklow. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereMeehan is from Stanaway Road, Kimmage (irishmirror.ie)
- whereHe serves his life sentence at Shelton Abbey open prison in Co Wicklow (irishmirror.ie)
- whenVeronica Guerin died in June 1996. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe murder occurred on 26 June 1996 (irishmirror.ie)
- causeGuerin was shot several times at point blank range while sitting in her car at traffic lights on the Naas dual carriageway. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeMeehan was the only person convicted of Guerin's murder in December 1999. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJohn Gilligan was charged over the murder but found not guilty. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe condition was imposed by the Independent Parole Board before he was granted temporary release (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe was turned down for parole in November 2023 (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe is entitled to re-apply for parole in July 2025 (irishmirror.ie)
- courtGilligan was found not guilty of her murder (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceMeehan was given a life sentence and has served over 23 years in prison. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMeehan is expected to be slowly allowed back into society over the coming year. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe final decision on Meehan's release is for the new Independent Parole Board. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe Guerin family can make a submission objecting to any release. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMeehan was ordered to break off all links with John Gilligan and other serious criminals as a condition of temporary release (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMeehan was back on the streets the previous week for a day of freedom (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe spent the day visiting family and friends around Dublin (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe has been released five times for a day (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMeehan has served 26 years behind bars since his conviction in November 1999 (irishmirror.ie)
- otherGilligan served 17 years in custody for drug related offences (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMeehan had to give a personal undertaking that he was finished with criminality (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe Parole Board could decide to keep him in custody for another three to four years (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe average life sentence in Ireland is now 24 to 25 years (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 13 Jul2025Veronica Guerin killer ordered to break links with John Gilligan to be set free
Reveals the conditions imposed by the Independent Parole Board on Meehan's temporary day releases, including breaking all links with John Gilligan, and provides context on his parole timeline, the family's reaction, and the possibility of serving up to 30 years given the high-profile nature of the case.
victim, Veronica Guerin, 36, female, irish (judged from name)Veronica Guerinconvicted, Brian Meehan, 58, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brian Meehan - 1 Sep2023Only man jailed for murder of Veronica Guerin to start getting day releases soon
Reports that convicted murderer Brian Meehan is expected to begin day releases over the coming year, with the final plan subject to Independent Parole Board approval. Adds the prison sentence history and Guerin family's right to object.
convicted, Brian Meehan, 56, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brian Meehanvictim, Veronica Guerin, 36, female, irish (judged from name)Veronica Guerinaccused, John Gilligan, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Gilligansuspect, Patrick 'Dutchy' Holland, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick 'Dutchy' Holland