Slain journalist will 'advance the forces of peace'
Sunday September 30 2001
THE murder of Sunday World reporter Martin O'Hagan, the second journalist from this newspaper group to be slain in the course of their work in five years, will "galvanise all those opposed to terrorism and strengthen the determination to advance the forces of peace," said Gavin O'Reilly, CE of Independent News and Media (Ireland) last night.
"I am deeply shocked and horrified by Martin's murder another champion of journalistic integrity, murdered by those in illegal organisations who challenge the very foundation of a civilised democracy," Mr O'Reilly said.
"To be slain in such a brutal way in cold blood, in front of his wife, is an act of cowardice ... Martin's murder will only galvanise all those opposed to terrorism in every form and strengthen the determination to advance the forces of peace.
The murder of Mr O'Hagan in Lurgan on Friday night has been claimed by the hardline Red Hand Brigade, casting further doubts on the durability of the loyalist paramilitary ceasefires. He is the first journalist murdered by Northern paramilitaries in more than three decades of the Troubles.
A man using the cover name the Red Hand Defenders claimed responsibility, but the finger of suspicion is pointing at the Loyalist Volunteer Force which has a strength in the area.
Martin O'Hagan, a father of three girls, one of whom is soon to be married, was murdered just yards from his heavily fortified house in Westfield Gardens, on the Tandragee Road, at around 10.30pm.
He was returning with his wife Marie from a nearby pub when a car approached and the killers opened fire. He was shot in the back.
Mr O'Hagan had been threatened by the LVF and other loyalist groups since the period the late Billy Wright was in charge, as well as from criminal drug elements which he had regularly exposed. He had also been abducted and interrogated by the IRA.
Veronica Guerin of the Sunday Independent was shot dead by a criminal gang on June 26 1996. Her mother, Bernie Guerin said she was was shocked and saddened by the murder of another journalist.
"The parallels with Veronica's murder were immediately obvious. Irrespective of his past politics or the political claims of those who took his life, this was a journalist gunned down by those who feared and resented his exposure of their evil doing. It was another blow against freedom and democracy. I will pray for his soul. My thoughts are with his wife and children, his editor and colleagues."
Mr O'Hagan's murder has added to the dilemma facing Northern Secretary Dr John Reid who remains under intense pressure to move against the UFF and other Loyalist terror groups involved in violence.
A book of condolences will be opened to the public tomorrow, Monday in Liberty Hall, Dublin.
- ALAN MURRAY AND JEROME REILLY
