The Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, has promised that the investigation into the remaining members of the gang which killed Veronica Guerin will continue.
Mr Byrne, who was accompanied at a press conference yesterday in Garda Headquarters by Assistant Commissioner Mr Tony Hickey, who headed the investigation, said he was not disappointed by the failure to secure a murder conviction.
"We are very satisfied with the result today. It is not a question of how an individual is pleased or not pleased at the result. We operate in a professional manner. It is not a personal vendetta, nor should it have been. We operate this democracy within the law. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty and we operate within those bounds and regulations."
Mr Byrne paid tribute to the investigators based at Lucan Garda station. He said they had interviewed 1,400 people; taken 3,500 statements; carried out 425 searches; made 214 arrests; seized 105 firearms and large quantities of drugs. The Criminal Assets Bureau had also seized large sums of money made by the gang.
"It is important for people to realise that the investigation of crimes often involves investigators entering the dark and murky world of criminality. It is not for the faint-hearted or those who are less than courageous. It is normally very complex, often dangerous.
"Although nearly five years have passed since the murder of Veronica Guerin, the determination of the investigation team to finally conclude the whole investigation has not waned at all.
"I believe the aspirations of all the people of this island are that tragic incidents, such as the murder of Veronica Guerin and the murder of our colleague Det Garda Jerry McCabe, will never happen again.
"This investigation has not concluded and will be pursued with determination and vigour to its conclusion."
Mr Hickey defended the use of the three accomplice witnesses and the State's witness protection scheme which was introduced specially to look after the families of the three former associates of Gilligan who testified.
He said the Garda would examine whether it was necessary to ground the protection scheme in legislation. A similar scheme operated in the UK without legislative backing.
"Whatever else can be said about witness security, the use of co-operative accomplices is one of the most important and effective means of fighting organised crime gangs."
He said since the journalist's murder the State had introduced a "raft" of anti-crime legislation and the Garda had been successful in breaking up the gang which carried out her assassination. Other gangs would fill their place but it was unlikely that they would be as vicious and ruthless.
"It is cold comfort for Veronica's family but in the overall context of what this investigation has achieved, and what has happened in this country in relation to crime enforcement, her loss has not been in vain."
Mr Byrne said the Garda would continue to look for witnesses to give evidence in court about crime.
Asked about the decision to return money, which the Special Criminal Court judges pointed out was the proceeds of crime, to the witness and gang member Charles Bowden, the Commissioner said: "Whether it was a factor or not, I think it is important that I study the judgment with my senior officers and then make whatever decisions we have to make, bearing in mind this is a very complex case. If there is something to be learned in how we do our business we are prepared to learn from it."
He said the Garda would pursue those people who sought to fill the places left by those behind bars. "The campaign goes on," he said.