Trial opens of man accused of killing top Irish journalist

The trial has opened in Dublin of a man accused of murdering the Irishinvestigative journalist, Veronica Guerin.

She was shot dead in Dublin in June 1996, while investigating drug-dealing.

Correspondents say her killing led to one of the biggest police operations in Irish history and the passing of new laws that allow police to seize gangsters' assets.

The accused man, Paul Ward, has pleaded not guilty to murder charges.

The Irish police are seeking the extradition of two other men , John Gilligan and Brian Meehan, who are in custody in Britain and Holland, in connection with the shooting of Veronica Guerin.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service