Witness protection: history and reality

As the Collins family relocate overseas for a new life away from the pervasive threat of Limerick’s gangs, it might be the most high-profile entry into the state’s Witness Security Programme.

While Steve Collins and his family were photographed tearfully waving goodbye to Ireland, it is also understood that they will be living in their new surroundings under their old names.

This is not typically the case. Since the witness security programme was established in 1997 in the aftermath of the murder of reporter Veronica Guerin, those who have entered it have left everything behind, including their identities. In most cases, those in the programme have emerged from criminality themselves.