The Virgin Media documentary about convicted criminal John Gilligan suggests a need for an examination of “editorial standards” and complaints, according to one Fine Gael senator.
‘Confessions of a Crime Boss: John Gilligan’ is a three-part series examining the life of Mr Gilligan who was acquitted for the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin in June 1996.
The first episode aired on September 4, in which Mr Gilligan described his upbringing and says he is “not sorry for the things I have done”.
Fine Gael Seanad Spokesperson on Equality Mary Seery-Kearney said she has not watched the documentary as she is “too angry that such an individual is given any platform at all”.
“This man was accused and acquitted of extremely serious crimes in circumstances where witness tampering and intimidation was alleged,” she said.
“He has actually been convicted of drug smuggling and while this programme is airing, has entered a plea bargain for drugs and weapons charges in Spain.”
Senator Seery-Kearney said Ms Guerin “isn’t here to tell us about the violence he allegedly perpetrated against her prior to her murder”.
A split-screen showing John Gilligan (Image: Virgin Media) and Veronica Guerin.“Women’s Aid have expressed their dissatisfaction with the airing of a programme where a known perpetrator of violence towards women is given a platform to trivialise such appalling actions," she said.
According to Senator Seery-Kearney, Ms Guerin’s brother, Jimmy Guerin, said Mr Gilligan “will joke about violence meted out by him towards his ex-wife in the next episode”.
The Fine Gael senator called for the Oireachtas Media Committee to review the standards in place regarding complaints for documentaries like ‘Confessions of a Crime Boss’.
“The satisfaction of sensationalist morbid curiosity and voyeurism to see such individuals exhibited by some sectors of the public must be balanced against the public interest in securing a culture that supports an abhorrence against drug dealing and violence,” she said.
“We must ensure all editorial broadcasting mechanisms are governed by the highest standards and a thorough review clearly needs to happen now on foot of this skewed documentary.”
