Man accused of murdering journalist

A 32 year-old Dublin man was yesterday charged with the murder last June of Dublin crime reporter Veronica Guerin.

Paul "Hippo" Ward of Windmill Park, Crumlin, was already in custody on charges brought last October of conspiracy to murder the journalist and of being an accessory to the killing.

State solicitor Clare Galligan told Kilmainham District Court in Dublin that the earlier charges against Mr Ward were being withdrawn. Mr Ward also faces a charge of possession and supply of cannabis at an address in Tallaght, Dublin last October, and Ms Galligan said it would be decided whether to proceed with those charges when forensic test results were delivered. Mr Ward was remanded in custody for a further week. Alan Murdoch