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01/10/2001
Funeral of murdered investigative journalist take place
The funeral of the murdered investigative journalist Martin O’Hagan has taken place in Lurgan.
Thousands of mourners attended the funeral of Mr O’Hagan on Monday. The 51-year-old father of three was shot dead near his house in Westfield Garden, Lurgan as he walked home from a local pub with his wife Marie on Friday evening.
The shooting has been claimed by the Red Hand Defenders, a cover name used in the past for the Ulster Defence Association and the Loyalist Volunteer Force.
Mr O’Hagan, who worked in the Northern office of the Dublin-based Sunday World newspaper, had been threatened previously over his work on paramilitary and drugs-related stories.
The Sunday World has a distinctive agenda for hard-hitting investigative stories on crime and the paper’s Northern Editor Jim McDowell vowed that the murder of Mr O’Hagan would not change that agenda. Mr McDowell said the attack had not been preceded by any renewed death threats.
Kidnapped by the IRA in 1989 amid allegations of being an informer, Mr O’Hagan was later released. He had also been forced to leave Northern Ireland for a time following a series of death threats. They followed articles printed in 1992 on loyalist paramilitaries, in which Mr O’Hagan coined the term “King Rat” for loyalist paramilitary Billy Wright.
The newspaper’s Belfast office was firebombed in 1999.
A staunch supporter of trade unions Mr O’Hagan was the secretary of the Belfast branch of the National Union of Journalists.
RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan said that while the murder investigation was at a very early stage, they were pursuing a firm line of enquiry that local elements of the LVF were responsible.
Mr O'Hagan's murder has been widely condemned by leading politicians on both sides of the border as an attack on democracy and the right to freedom of speech. (SP)
Thousands of mourners attended the funeral of Mr O’Hagan on Monday. The 51-year-old father of three was shot dead near his house in Westfield Garden, Lurgan as he walked home from a local pub with his wife Marie on Friday evening.
The shooting has been claimed by the Red Hand Defenders, a cover name used in the past for the Ulster Defence Association and the Loyalist Volunteer Force.
Mr O’Hagan, who worked in the Northern office of the Dublin-based Sunday World newspaper, had been threatened previously over his work on paramilitary and drugs-related stories.
The Sunday World has a distinctive agenda for hard-hitting investigative stories on crime and the paper’s Northern Editor Jim McDowell vowed that the murder of Mr O’Hagan would not change that agenda. Mr McDowell said the attack had not been preceded by any renewed death threats.
Kidnapped by the IRA in 1989 amid allegations of being an informer, Mr O’Hagan was later released. He had also been forced to leave Northern Ireland for a time following a series of death threats. They followed articles printed in 1992 on loyalist paramilitaries, in which Mr O’Hagan coined the term “King Rat” for loyalist paramilitary Billy Wright.
The newspaper’s Belfast office was firebombed in 1999.
A staunch supporter of trade unions Mr O’Hagan was the secretary of the Belfast branch of the National Union of Journalists.
RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan said that while the murder investigation was at a very early stage, they were pursuing a firm line of enquiry that local elements of the LVF were responsible.
Mr O'Hagan's murder has been widely condemned by leading politicians on both sides of the border as an attack on democracy and the right to freedom of speech. (SP)
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05 October 2001
Murdered journalist’s wife appeals for no retaliation
The widow of murdered Northern Ireland journalist Martin O’Hagan has renewed her appeal for no retaliation for his killing. Sunday World journalist Martin O'Hagan, 51, was shot dead in Lurgan, County Armagh, as he walked home from his local pub on Friday September 28. Mr O'Hagan's widow, Marie, has said the family want no more killings.
Murdered journalist’s wife appeals for no retaliation
The widow of murdered Northern Ireland journalist Martin O’Hagan has renewed her appeal for no retaliation for his killing. Sunday World journalist Martin O'Hagan, 51, was shot dead in Lurgan, County Armagh, as he walked home from his local pub on Friday September 28. Mr O'Hagan's widow, Marie, has said the family want no more killings.
16 September 2008
Two Charged With Journalist O'Hagan's Murder
Two men have appeared in court charged with the murder of Sunday World reporter Martin O'Hagan. Neil Hyde, 28, of Princetown Avenue, and Nigel William Leckey, 43, of Bowens Lane were both accused of the 2001 killing. Mr Leckey was also charged with possessing ammunition.
Two Charged With Journalist O'Hagan's Murder
Two men have appeared in court charged with the murder of Sunday World reporter Martin O'Hagan. Neil Hyde, 28, of Princetown Avenue, and Nigel William Leckey, 43, of Bowens Lane were both accused of the 2001 killing. Mr Leckey was also charged with possessing ammunition.
11 September 2008
Five Arrested Over Journalist's Murder
Police investigating the murder of journalist Martin O'Hagan have arrested five people in counties Down and Armagh. The Sunday World reporter was gunned down by loyalist paramilitaries in 2001. The Lurgan man, 51, was walking home from a night out with his wife when the attack happened.
Five Arrested Over Journalist's Murder
Police investigating the murder of journalist Martin O'Hagan have arrested five people in counties Down and Armagh. The Sunday World reporter was gunned down by loyalist paramilitaries in 2001. The Lurgan man, 51, was walking home from a night out with his wife when the attack happened.
09 April 2002
Fresh demands on loyalists to decommission
There have been fresh calls from both sides of the political divide for loyalist paramilitary groups to decommission their weapons following a second historic move from the IRA.
Fresh demands on loyalists to decommission
There have been fresh calls from both sides of the political divide for loyalist paramilitary groups to decommission their weapons following a second historic move from the IRA.
27 February 2002
Tory MP meets loyalist paramilitary chiefs in Belfast
The Conservative spokesman on Northern Ireland Quentin Davies has held face-to-face talks with loyalist paramilitary chiefs. The meeting between Mr Davies and members of the self-named Loyalist Commission took place at a secret location in Belfast on Tuesday February 26.
Tory MP meets loyalist paramilitary chiefs in Belfast
The Conservative spokesman on Northern Ireland Quentin Davies has held face-to-face talks with loyalist paramilitary chiefs. The meeting between Mr Davies and members of the self-named Loyalist Commission took place at a secret location in Belfast on Tuesday February 26.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
