Cate Blanchett arrived in a dress by Stella McCartney

Blanchett takes the lead role as the Irish reporter Guerin, who spent her career exposing the seedier side of Dublin including drug gangs and crime bosses.

But she was shot dead in 1996 and three men were jailed for life for her murder, although one has since been acquitted.

Blanchett and other stars from the movie, including Brenda Fricker and Gerard McSorley, attended the UK premi�re in Islington, north London.

Approval

Blanchett, 33, wore a satin dress by designer Stella McCartney.

She was accompanied by her husband, screenwriter Andrew Upton.

The actress, who perfected a Dublin accent for the role, said she had become "fascinated" by Guerin and felt an "enormous responsibility" towards her memory.

"I think we live in very cowardly times and anyone who does anything out of a sense of idealism is considered foolhardy.

"I don't think the same questions would be asked of a man. I have a lot of admiration for her courage."

Cate Blanchett plays Veronica Guerin

The film was directed by Joel Schumacher, whose credits include Falling Down and Phone Booth, and produced by Hollywood heavyweight Jerry Bruckheimer, behind movies such as Hulk and Top Gun.

Guerin's family has already given its approval to Blanchett's performance.

The film has already proved a hit in Ireland, taking �270,000 in its opening weekend from just 53 cinemas.

It is released in Great Britain and Northern Ireland on 1 August.