The brother of murdered journalist Veronica Guerin has called for TDs to back calls for Virgin Media to reconsider broadcasting its documentary on gangster John Gilligan.
Jimmy Guerin wants other politicians to back Justice Minister Helen McEntee and junior drugs minister Hildegarde Naughton who have criticised the broadcaster for showing the documentary, which contains an interview with Mr Gilligan.
Ms McEntee said the producers of the documentary should “think about what they’re trying to achieve”, adding she would not be watching it. Ms Naughton said she would “question the merit” of broadcasting the programme.
“To be quite honest, this is a man that has created misery for so many people and so many communities and I know there’s a lot of people and families and communities that are very upset by the fact that this documentary is on this evening,” Ms McEntee said ahead of Monday’s airing of Monday’s first episode.
“He’s [Gilligan] someone who has been convicted of very serious offences and I for one certainly won’t be watching it.”
In a letter sent to TDs, Mr Guerin said: “This has been most upsetting for our family and causes unnecessary pain where journalists and a national TV station provide this amoral individual these platforms to peddle his lies and tarnish Veronica’s reputation and legacy.
“On top of that it is hurtful to the thousands of families whose lives have been destroyed by drugs, to give the leader of the gang responsible for the largest importation of drugs into this country a platform where he can laugh and dismiss the hurt he has caused these people.
Whether we like it or not there are people who will look up to this man, who will be influenced by him and think that to become involved in crime is an option for some of them.
Mr Guerin sent the letter to Oireachtas members from all parties, including Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin.
While Ms McEntee and Ms Naughton were critical of the documentary, Higher Education Minister Simon Harris said it was “unhelpful” for politicians to dictate what topics the media cover.
“I don’t think it’s very helpful for politicians to be telling the media what [it] should or shouldn’t do,” Mr Harris said. “We live in a democracy. We live in a country with a free media, and it’s very important people exercise that right.”

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