Journalist Veronica Guerin died quickly but not instantly when she was hit by six bullets, the State Pathologist, Dr John Harbison, told the Special Criminal Court yesterday.
Dr Harbison said it appeared she had reacted to the shooting by raising her arm protectively. She died from shock and haemorrhage caused by multiple bullet wounds.
Asked by Mr Justice O'Donovan if Ms Guerin had died very quickly, Dr Harbison replied: "Yes, not instantly. It would have taken place rapidly from the very considerable loss of blood. But there seems adequate evidence from her ability to get across the car that she must have lived for a good few seconds." He was giving evidence on the sixth day of the trial of Mr John Gilligan (48), who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ms Guerin (37) at Naas Road, Dublin on June 26th, 1996. He also denies 15 charges of importing cannabis and firearms and ammunition offences.
Dr Harbison said he found seven bullet wounds, one of them caused by a bullet passing through her right arm and re-entering her body, and two bullets in her body.
Mr Graham Turley said he had identified his wife's mobile telephone bill which showed she made her last call at 12.54 p.m. for 18 seconds.
Mr Terence McDonald QC, for Mr Gilligan, said he had no questions for Mr Turley. Earlier, Mr Brian McNamara said he and his wife were stopped at traffic lights at the Naas Road. He thought he heard a car backfiring and he saw a person on the back of a motorbike. "He appeared to be shooting into a car and then he put his hand back into his leather jacket."
Mr McNamara said he went to the car and saw a body slumped there. The motorbike had taken off very quickly and the passenger had glanced at him. Mrs Mary McNamara said she said to her husband, " `I am sure they were shots.' I thought he would contradict me but he didn't." She saw a motorbike with two people on it coming towards her. "I just took in the bike, two people sitting on it and two faces to look at."
The trial continues today.