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Dead Man Walking: The Murky World of Michael McGurk and Ron Medich
We all know Sydney is full of corruption and crime, but none of us expected to read about a Sydney businessman being shot in the back of his head, in his driveway, in front of his nine-year-old son, in Cremorne. Nor that the order would come from a Point Piper millionaire.
Kate McClymont is Australia’s best-known investigative journalist. Kate and McGurk received intel that he was going to be ‘hit’. Before the two could meet, McGurk was murdered. Kate and her family also received death threats and were moved to a hotel for a few days.
This story involves bumbling criminals, turncoats, snitches, miniature korans, developers, wealthy people brought down, and devastated families. It unpacks the structures of our major cities and asks some big big questions.
Multiple Walkley-winner Kate tells it with pace and character and her insider status.
Kate McClymont is Australia’s best-known investigative journalist. Kate and McGurk received intel that he was going to be ‘hit’. Before the two could meet, McGurk was murdered. Kate and her family also received death threats and were moved to a hotel for a few days.
This story involves bumbling criminals, turncoats, snitches, miniature korans, developers, wealthy people brought down, and devastated families. It unpacks the structures of our major cities and asks some big big questions.
Multiple Walkley-winner Kate tells it with pace and character and her insider status.
384 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 29, 2020
‘Michael McGurk knew he was a dead man walking.’
I remember hearing about the murder of Michael McGurk, in September 2009, and feeling shocked that his nine-year-old son was present. I’d a vague recollection of hearing his name and wondered what the story was behind his murder.
In this book, published in 2019, Kate McClymont takes the reader into the world of shady property development, of unscrupulous politicians (mostly bit players in this book), bumbling criminals and conmen masquerading as respectable businessmen.
Having read this book, it’s a bit of a surprise to me that Michael McGurk lived as long as he did. There was no shortage of people who disliked him or who had been burned through his business dealings. And Ron Medich? Words fail me.
Ms McClymont, with Vanda Carson, has done a fine job of piecing together the lives, times and crimes of McGurk and Medich. The story leading to Medich’s conviction is a combination of great police work, a series of confessions by some participants which led to them receiving reduced sentences, and exhaustive investigative journalism.
Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in business dealings representing the less savoury side of Sydney.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
I remember hearing about the murder of Michael McGurk, in September 2009, and feeling shocked that his nine-year-old son was present. I’d a vague recollection of hearing his name and wondered what the story was behind his murder.
In this book, published in 2019, Kate McClymont takes the reader into the world of shady property development, of unscrupulous politicians (mostly bit players in this book), bumbling criminals and conmen masquerading as respectable businessmen.
Having read this book, it’s a bit of a surprise to me that Michael McGurk lived as long as he did. There was no shortage of people who disliked him or who had been burned through his business dealings. And Ron Medich? Words fail me.
Ms McClymont, with Vanda Carson, has done a fine job of piecing together the lives, times and crimes of McGurk and Medich. The story leading to Medich’s conviction is a combination of great police work, a series of confessions by some participants which led to them receiving reduced sentences, and exhaustive investigative journalism.
Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in business dealings representing the less savoury side of Sydney.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
November 7, 2019
DEAD MAN WALKING by KATE McCLYMONT (with VANDA CARSON)
Review by Ian Smith
If you thought the world of property development was a murky one, this will do absolutely nothing to dissuade you from that view. Two men from less than favourable backgrounds have worked (probably a poor choice of words) their way deep into this arena and they’ve collected some less than desirable hangers-on only too willing to do dirty deeds on their behalf…..for a dollar or two of course.
Ron Medich, the man who ultimately put out the contract, so called, ended up twice removed from the actual deed but certainly not from its intent. He was very rich and could afford the type of money assassins require.
Michael McGurk the victim, an unsavoury character to put it mildly, was similarly disillusioned with Medich and had taken him to court. He was so disillusioned that he prophesied his death to Kate McClymont the day before he was shot, though that wasn’t the only lead the police had. No, they had a box bull of names of people who didn’t like the man.
In a saga, more unreal than a novel, played out in courtrooms over the next several years, the whole crime scenario was outlaid, completely intermingled with lies and falsehoods. Kate McClymont, sometimes with Vanda Carson, was there following it all the way. Added to that was her voluminous research.
This was a personality clash taken to extremes and, as is mostly the case, there were no real winners here. The motivation to get what they wanted, i.e. money, was ultimately the root cause of their demise. Dodgy deals, often aligned to dodgy politicians, made up the bulk of their money.
For some of the bit players, crime was either generational or a career choice. It depends on who you mingle with I guess. These are the sort you’d normally find in houses of ill repute or gambling casinos. Having an ethnic background was another commonality. Lucky Gattelari, being the name that stands out most and not to be confused with his one-time-world-champion boxer brother Rocky, is one with a key role.
You seriously would struggle to make these characters up and Kate has done an exceptional job piecing the whole story together, including some wonderful court exchanges with barristers and the language they use.
A series of confessions by certain participants, in a trade-off for less prison time, ultimately brought the full story forward along with some time consuming police work. It’s a great insight into the underbelly of Sydney and its workings. A recommend from me.
Review by Ian Smith
If you thought the world of property development was a murky one, this will do absolutely nothing to dissuade you from that view. Two men from less than favourable backgrounds have worked (probably a poor choice of words) their way deep into this arena and they’ve collected some less than desirable hangers-on only too willing to do dirty deeds on their behalf…..for a dollar or two of course.
Ron Medich, the man who ultimately put out the contract, so called, ended up twice removed from the actual deed but certainly not from its intent. He was very rich and could afford the type of money assassins require.
Michael McGurk the victim, an unsavoury character to put it mildly, was similarly disillusioned with Medich and had taken him to court. He was so disillusioned that he prophesied his death to Kate McClymont the day before he was shot, though that wasn’t the only lead the police had. No, they had a box bull of names of people who didn’t like the man.
In a saga, more unreal than a novel, played out in courtrooms over the next several years, the whole crime scenario was outlaid, completely intermingled with lies and falsehoods. Kate McClymont, sometimes with Vanda Carson, was there following it all the way. Added to that was her voluminous research.
This was a personality clash taken to extremes and, as is mostly the case, there were no real winners here. The motivation to get what they wanted, i.e. money, was ultimately the root cause of their demise. Dodgy deals, often aligned to dodgy politicians, made up the bulk of their money.
For some of the bit players, crime was either generational or a career choice. It depends on who you mingle with I guess. These are the sort you’d normally find in houses of ill repute or gambling casinos. Having an ethnic background was another commonality. Lucky Gattelari, being the name that stands out most and not to be confused with his one-time-world-champion boxer brother Rocky, is one with a key role.
You seriously would struggle to make these characters up and Kate has done an exceptional job piecing the whole story together, including some wonderful court exchanges with barristers and the language they use.
A series of confessions by certain participants, in a trade-off for less prison time, ultimately brought the full story forward along with some time consuming police work. It’s a great insight into the underbelly of Sydney and its workings. A recommend from me.
November 29, 2020
This book shows an impressive level of journalistic dedication to a case study, but it also feels bizarrely like a half-finished book. This is particularly odd given the fact that it is not short at all- but there's so much in here that needs to be covered that, quite simply, isn't. The empire that Medich seems to have built is still shrouded in mystery, and McGurk, while an absolute fool, seems to have stumbled upon something far worse than what was discussed in this book. I just felt like this book had so much more behind it, and I'm unsure what would have made this a literary triumph- but it simply was not there for me.
November 10, 2019
This book of modern day criminals in Sydney threw me face down into the depressing world suggested by these 19th century quotes. “... it is a dark, drizzly November in my soul ...” “It was a dreary night of November when I beheld the accomplishment of my toils ...” From Melville’s Moby Dick and Shelley’s Frankenstein. Kate McClymont, journalist for the Sydney Morning Herald, details the contract killing of Michael McGurk and consequent court proceedings. She chooses an apt 1989 quote from former Australian prime minister and Sydney native, Gough Whitlam. “The punters know that the horse named Morality rarely gets past the post, whereas the nag named Self-interest always runs a good race.”
January 10, 2024
Amazing to see the level of detail from Kate McClymont. She lives in a world of crime.
October 7, 2021
Having sat through parts of the ICAC inquiry and both of the trials of murder organiser Ron Medich, this was a must read for me. It is now heavily pencil-marked and certainly a keeper. There is a wonderful cast of real people from rich self-important dopes to indigent rascals, with barely a whole conscience between the lot of them. Perhaps the worst of them was the murder victim himself with nothing good to be said of him, other than perhaps the fact that his kids loved him. Perhaps 'Money is the root of all evil' would have been a fitting headstone.
August 28, 2020
This is a very Sydney (Australia) true crime story, written by the investigative journalist who followed the whole saga most closely over a decade. The writing style is very ‘matter of fact’, clipped and objective. That does not prevent many moments of humour, mostly dry, but more on that below.
The story is simple on the surface. Michael McGurk, who was on the surface a dedicated family businessman living in a beautiful house in a prestigious Sydney harbour-side suburb, arrived home one evening with take-away food for his family. His 10 year old son was in the front passenger seat of his car. When McGurk started to step out of his car in front of his house, he was executed with a single shot to the head at close range.
McGurk was in reality a con man, a stand-over merchant, a thug and a thoroughly nasty individual. He had numerous enemies. That was one challenge for police set to investigate a shocking and very public murder. Far too many people had good reasons for wanting McGurk dead.
The author Kate McClymont, a highly credentialed journalist with Sydney’s most credible newspaper, the Sydney Morning Herald, had been following many issues in which McGurk was embroiled for several years prior to the murder. She was not interested in McGurk at that time. McClymont was following tales of political corruption over land deals that appeared to involve bribery of state and local government officials and politicians. Central to many of these deals were the Medich brothers, Ron and Roy, some of their acolytes, especially Lucky Gatellari, brother of champion boxer Rocky Gatellari, and major political figures Eddie Obeid (later gaoled for corruption) and Graeme Richardson.
McClymont has written a detailed, very well documented account of the machinations that led Ron Medich to demand that Gatellari arrange McGurk’s murder, pay for it and then fight an almost 10 year battle to evade responsibility. It details a ‘falling out among thieves’ on a grand and tawdry scale. It also raises huge questions, many unanswered, about underlying political corruption in NSW. Eddie Obeid eventually went to gaol. The book may leave a reader wondering why Richardson has not yet joined him.
While the prose is sparse, objective and to the point, there are flashes of mostly dry humour. There is the astounding picture of a key witness, a career criminal Roy Hatfield, appearing as a witness.
“Hatfield, in his shorts and green prison smock, leapt to his feet. With his right arm bent into the shape of a spout, his left placed on his hip to form a handle, he began to sing ‘I’m a little teapot short and stout’ with the accompanying gestures, concluding with ‘tip me over, pour me out.’ The judge was (surprisingly) unimpressed. What a picture that described for this reader. I found it hard not to laugh.
There were court exchanges such as this between the eventually convicted murderer Safetli and Medich’s barrister Terracini:
“What” said Terracini, glaring at him. “You are a thief; you’re a firebomber, associated with a murder; you’re a tax fraudster; you deceive banks. Are you kidding – you’re an honest man?”
“In a business sense, maybe not,” replied Safeli.
This true crime book is so very readable but will appeal most of all to people very familiar with the ins and outs of Sydney’s society and politics. That should not dissuade others. It is still an excellent example of the genre and McClymont does explain everything, the circumstances, background, characters, investigation and subsequent multiple court hearings in enough detail to allow anyone to understand, but sparely enough to make this book engrossing and enjoyable.
The author concludes with a quote from former Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam: “the punters know that the horse named Morality rarely gets past the post, whereas the nag named Self-interest always runs a good race.” This saying is often attributed to a later Australian PM, Paul Keating, from Whitlam’s own party. In true Sydney style, Keating appears to have nicked the quote. It seems to be an accurate summation of the greed, self-interest and sheer venality exhibited by so many in McClymont’s engrossing book.
The story is simple on the surface. Michael McGurk, who was on the surface a dedicated family businessman living in a beautiful house in a prestigious Sydney harbour-side suburb, arrived home one evening with take-away food for his family. His 10 year old son was in the front passenger seat of his car. When McGurk started to step out of his car in front of his house, he was executed with a single shot to the head at close range.
McGurk was in reality a con man, a stand-over merchant, a thug and a thoroughly nasty individual. He had numerous enemies. That was one challenge for police set to investigate a shocking and very public murder. Far too many people had good reasons for wanting McGurk dead.
The author Kate McClymont, a highly credentialed journalist with Sydney’s most credible newspaper, the Sydney Morning Herald, had been following many issues in which McGurk was embroiled for several years prior to the murder. She was not interested in McGurk at that time. McClymont was following tales of political corruption over land deals that appeared to involve bribery of state and local government officials and politicians. Central to many of these deals were the Medich brothers, Ron and Roy, some of their acolytes, especially Lucky Gatellari, brother of champion boxer Rocky Gatellari, and major political figures Eddie Obeid (later gaoled for corruption) and Graeme Richardson.
McClymont has written a detailed, very well documented account of the machinations that led Ron Medich to demand that Gatellari arrange McGurk’s murder, pay for it and then fight an almost 10 year battle to evade responsibility. It details a ‘falling out among thieves’ on a grand and tawdry scale. It also raises huge questions, many unanswered, about underlying political corruption in NSW. Eddie Obeid eventually went to gaol. The book may leave a reader wondering why Richardson has not yet joined him.
While the prose is sparse, objective and to the point, there are flashes of mostly dry humour. There is the astounding picture of a key witness, a career criminal Roy Hatfield, appearing as a witness.
“Hatfield, in his shorts and green prison smock, leapt to his feet. With his right arm bent into the shape of a spout, his left placed on his hip to form a handle, he began to sing ‘I’m a little teapot short and stout’ with the accompanying gestures, concluding with ‘tip me over, pour me out.’ The judge was (surprisingly) unimpressed. What a picture that described for this reader. I found it hard not to laugh.
There were court exchanges such as this between the eventually convicted murderer Safetli and Medich’s barrister Terracini:
“What” said Terracini, glaring at him. “You are a thief; you’re a firebomber, associated with a murder; you’re a tax fraudster; you deceive banks. Are you kidding – you’re an honest man?”
“In a business sense, maybe not,” replied Safeli.
This true crime book is so very readable but will appeal most of all to people very familiar with the ins and outs of Sydney’s society and politics. That should not dissuade others. It is still an excellent example of the genre and McClymont does explain everything, the circumstances, background, characters, investigation and subsequent multiple court hearings in enough detail to allow anyone to understand, but sparely enough to make this book engrossing and enjoyable.
The author concludes with a quote from former Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam: “the punters know that the horse named Morality rarely gets past the post, whereas the nag named Self-interest always runs a good race.” This saying is often attributed to a later Australian PM, Paul Keating, from Whitlam’s own party. In true Sydney style, Keating appears to have nicked the quote. It seems to be an accurate summation of the greed, self-interest and sheer venality exhibited by so many in McClymont’s engrossing book.
May 20, 2020
I have been getting a bit more into true crime lately and when the opportunity to listen to this on Audio came around I got a bit excited. It starts promisingly with the murder of Michael McGurk and then takes us back through his life to see what brought things to this point.
Usually I can find some sort of sympathy for the victim of a crime but McGurk was an awful person. Quite frankly by halfway through I was surprised no-one had murdered him sooner. The men he did business with were, one and all, greedy, entitled, arrogant, criminals - by three quarters of the way through I was surprised (and a bit dissapointed) that there had not been a few more murders.
The million dollar deals, shady handshake agreements, and lifestyles of the players in this true crime story are so out of the realms of everyday life I felt no connection to any of the people. How the super rich and criminally inclined live is certainly an eye-opener however after a while I found I simply couldn't care, even about the corruption in NSW politicians.
I think if you have an interest in property development, Sydney high-life, or financial crime this book will be for you; but for me the horribleness of the people and the disconnect from reality was too great an obsticle for me. I stopped listening on CD 9 of 12 and have no intention of going back to it.
Usually I can find some sort of sympathy for the victim of a crime but McGurk was an awful person. Quite frankly by halfway through I was surprised no-one had murdered him sooner. The men he did business with were, one and all, greedy, entitled, arrogant, criminals - by three quarters of the way through I was surprised (and a bit dissapointed) that there had not been a few more murders.
The million dollar deals, shady handshake agreements, and lifestyles of the players in this true crime story are so out of the realms of everyday life I felt no connection to any of the people. How the super rich and criminally inclined live is certainly an eye-opener however after a while I found I simply couldn't care, even about the corruption in NSW politicians.
I think if you have an interest in property development, Sydney high-life, or financial crime this book will be for you; but for me the horribleness of the people and the disconnect from reality was too great an obsticle for me. I stopped listening on CD 9 of 12 and have no intention of going back to it.
March 20, 2021
Dead Man Walking is the story of murder and crimes of Michael McGurk. It follows the lives of McGurk, Ron Medich, Lucky Gatellari, Senad Kaminic, Haissam Safetli and Christopher Estephan leading up to the trials and convictions.
The audiobook was read by the author Kate McClymont, which was great, as she was able to emphasize the key aspects of the story. The story was very informative and presented in a rather objective manner, which was great for understanding the different aspects of the story. I did find a lot of detail in the stories leading up to the trial, but then felt it finished suddenly. There was not a lot of detail about people other than the 5 convicted men, nothing about the families and the aftermath or how it impacted people.
If you love books detailing crime and murder, then you would enjoy this book. It is set in Australia, which is great because I knew some of the places being spoken about, which also made it chilling. Overall it was a good book, nothing spectacular, was an enjoyable listen. I would recommend to people based in Australia, who enjoy true crime.
The audiobook was read by the author Kate McClymont, which was great, as she was able to emphasize the key aspects of the story. The story was very informative and presented in a rather objective manner, which was great for understanding the different aspects of the story. I did find a lot of detail in the stories leading up to the trial, but then felt it finished suddenly. There was not a lot of detail about people other than the 5 convicted men, nothing about the families and the aftermath or how it impacted people.
If you love books detailing crime and murder, then you would enjoy this book. It is set in Australia, which is great because I knew some of the places being spoken about, which also made it chilling. Overall it was a good book, nothing spectacular, was an enjoyable listen. I would recommend to people based in Australia, who enjoy true crime.
October 17, 2021
I loved this book partly because I personally attended the ICAC investigation into Medich and both of his murder trials, unfortunately not in their entirety, but certainly often enough to know this cast of thieves, villains and murderers up close.
Unfortunately the book ended before the second trial found Medich guilty and gave him the life sentence he deserved, but others who participated in the lead-up and coverup of the crime received extremely light sentences in my view.
McClymont was not only a reporter of these legal proceedings but also a player in that she was meeting with key people involved, including the victim. She is to be commended for her bravery in doing this work amongst the lowest of criminals Sydney has to offer.
Unfortunately the book ended before the second trial found Medich guilty and gave him the life sentence he deserved, but others who participated in the lead-up and coverup of the crime received extremely light sentences in my view.
McClymont was not only a reporter of these legal proceedings but also a player in that she was meeting with key people involved, including the victim. She is to be commended for her bravery in doing this work amongst the lowest of criminals Sydney has to offer.
February 22, 2025
You couldn't make up a storyline this messed up. Standover men; clowns passing as successful business men, seemingly propped up by their younger, more switched on siblings; far too much money, tenacious wives; and just far too much stupidity.
The victim was numbering his days with all of his shenanigans I'm surprised he kept on top of all his fantastical schemes. Any number of his associates could have bumped him off.
Great read, I enjoyed it, authors did well presenting this mess from the years leading up to the assassination to the sentencing.
The victim was numbering his days with all of his shenanigans I'm surprised he kept on top of all his fantastical schemes. Any number of his associates could have bumped him off.
Great read, I enjoyed it, authors did well presenting this mess from the years leading up to the assassination to the sentencing.
December 9, 2019
‘For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.’ .(1 Timothy 6:10) What a bunch of crooks! Kate McClymont has done a great job of lifting the lid on the stinking mess that at its heart was the murder of Michael McGurk and the intimidation of his wife, Kimberley after his murder.
Money certainly didn’t buy any of the players in this tragedy happiness!
Money certainly didn’t buy any of the players in this tragedy happiness!
August 25, 2020
I found this a fairly tedious listen on audiobook. It was a long and detailed account of the life of a criminal - his transgressions, his dealings with many other unlovely people and his own particular brand of horrible were catalogued in great detail. If you live in Sydney it might be more interesting but I suspect you would need to have a strong appetite for cime and legal minutiae to love this.
November 12, 2021
This took me almost a month to read, and mostly because it was boring. I knew the story and was curious to hear this one (audio), but it was such a slog through most of it. The narrator wasn’t the best choice perhaps, but I’m not sure any narrator would have been. I was hoping for a little more depth and humanity, but this was simply a very long newspaper spiel, where the outcome is known and paragraph after paragraph simply repeats and relays.
April 2, 2023
The main subject of this book, Michael McGurk, was a massive p.o.s. He did a lot of bad things to a lot of people (many of whom were also bad) and then he got killed for it.
Very well written account of one grubby man and his cast of gross mates. Kate McClymont is a great reporter who really knows her brief. While I didn't like anyone mentioned in the book or anything they did, it's a part of the history of Sydney and the criminal underworld that isn't bikies or drugs.
Very well written account of one grubby man and his cast of gross mates. Kate McClymont is a great reporter who really knows her brief. While I didn't like anyone mentioned in the book or anything they did, it's a part of the history of Sydney and the criminal underworld that isn't bikies or drugs.
August 12, 2020
If this book does one thing well, it is to cast doubt on the use of the term "organised crime". What a hopeless lot they seem in this account. I couldn't help feeling, though, that the main character - the victim - was not the most interesting choice of focus of the book. The Medichs business empire would seem a lot more interesting - but perhaps harder to uncover.
February 6, 2021
Should have been absorbing but wasn’t quite. I found the analysis of the Medich’s relationship the most interesting part.
A friend of a friend knew McGurk. “He was a nice man. He was good to his family” she said. How often do we hear this? As if it blots out the fact that they are a sociopath!
A friend of a friend knew McGurk. “He was a nice man. He was good to his family” she said. How often do we hear this? As if it blots out the fact that they are a sociopath!
November 22, 2020
This book reads more like a fictional crime tale than a true one and I mean that in the most complimentary way. While being meticulously researched and sourced, it's also extremely entertaining. The criminals are so devious, and so stupid! As a life-long Sydney resident, it was a true eye opener as to this pretty city's nasty underbelly.
June 26, 2023
That goodness for Kate exposing corruption in NSW. Having worked in areas affected by the crimes and characters in this expose, I was deeply shocked. She and her colleagues have been meticulous in backing up the eye watering arrogance and facts. Investigative journalism at its best.
December 25, 2019
I’m a huge Kate fan but I couldn’t finish this book. Too dry for me.
February 8, 2020
Sensational reporting and story telling
May 19, 2020
I enjoyed it. It was intriguing from the get-go and Kat McClymont added a bit of humour to some chapters, which made it entertaining as well.
December 15, 2020
A great book written by one of Sydney's best journalists. Well researched, very well written. Some horrible characters.
March 16, 2024
There wasn’t a chapter in this book that didn’t remind me of Mark Twain’s “truth is stranger than fiction” quote. Outrageous and eye-opening.
August 11, 2025
This is such an interesting look into a world I knew nothing about. I can vaguely remember Michael McGurk being killed in 2009, mainly because it was in his driveway in front of his son. Kate McClymont has risked her life to report on this story, having received more than one death threat while investigating. To call this world murky is a huge understatement and it's scary how close to political power these people were. This is the stuff of the TV series Underbelly.
June 30, 2025
The quote at the end of this book sums up this story, of greedy, self-centred people, who turned on each other to try to save themselves. I won't share the quote here, because it was such a good way to end the book, and that's where it deserves to be read.
A great read.
A great read.
January 5, 2020
I couldn’t put this book down! Perhaps I’m naive, but I’m completely gobsmacked that people out there like this exist! The backstabbing, lying, blackmailing and complete lack of morality is crazy. An excellent read and insight into Sydney’s seedy underbelly.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews