Northern Ireland

NUJ calls for expert panel to investigate 2001 murder of journalist Martin O'Hagan

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called for an expert panel to be put together to investigate the 2001 murder of journalist Martin O'Hagan
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called for an expert panel to be put together to investigate the 2001 murder of journalist Martin O'Hagan The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called for an expert panel to be put together to investigate the 2001 murder of journalist Martin O'Hagan

THE National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called for an expert panel to be put together to investigate the murder of Martin O'Hagan.

Mr O'Hagan, who was a journalist for the Sunday World, was murdered by the LVF on September 28, 2001 while returning to his Lurgan home with his wife Marie.

No one has ever been convicted of the 51-year-old's murder.

On the approach to the 20th anniversary, Michelle Stanistreet, General Secretary of the NUJ, said the failure to secure a conviction in the case was "a stain on the history of policing in Northern Ireland".

Ms Stanistreet called for the British government to establish a panel of international experts to investigate the murder and the subsequent failure of the security authorities to secure a conviction.

"The passage of time does not obliterate the need for an independent investigation drawn from outside the UK to investigate the murder and the subsequent police failings," she said.

"We will be writing to the British prime minister and to an taoiseach seeking the full support of both the British and Irish governments for a comprehensive investigation."

Ms Stanistreet said Mr O'Hagan was killed because he was a "determined investigative journalist".

"We have long called for an international investigation and we, as Martin’s union, renew that call on the 20th anniversary of his killing," she said.

"We can best serve his memory by continuing to challenge the bullies, to ask the difficult questions and to hold those in power to account. Martin was also a solid trade unionist and we also honour him by defending the rights of workers."