Evil Empire

From the international bestselling true crime writer, "the best book on Irish organized crime to date and a tribute to a murdered colleague" (The Irish Times).

On June 26, 1996, an international outcry was heard over the assassination of Irish journalist Veronica Guerin, gunned down by Ireland's most vicious gang. It was the first European case of what the police called "narco-terrorism," where drug syndicates use terror tactics against individuals and states to protect their interests. The hit would change European police tactics forever and make the law enforcement community realize that this problem was no longer confined to the third world.

Ruthless godfather John Gilligan controlled a colossal drug empire and a mob of Dublin gangland's most dangerous criminals. Violence and the threat of murder kept terrified witnesses silent and other gangsters in fear. Gilligan thought himself above the law—and never managed to figure out that there was a line between what gangsters can and cannot do.

In Evil Empire Paul Williams tells the chilling inside story of Gilligan's rise to power, his savage gang, and the truth about the terrifying murder that shocked the world. Also shown is the behind-the-scenes drama of the dedicated police squad that waged an unprecedented four-year war to smash "Factory" John's Evil Empire.

"Exhaustively researched and chillingly riveting . . . traditional crime reporting at its best." —The Sunday Independent

"The most definitive account of the country's most dangerous gang . . . It is an explosive book not to be missed." —Sunday World

"Each part is meticulously researched and reads more like a thriller than true life." —The Evening Herald