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The brother of Martin O’Hagan, an investigative journalist who was fatally shot while walking home with his wife, has expressed that continuing the fight for justice is essential, as otherwise “the guilt would kill me.” This week marked 25 years since the 2001 murder of Martin, who was killed at the age of 51 in Lurgan, County Armagh. The attack occurred as he was returning from a pub, with the killing claimed by the Red Hand Defenders—an alias used by both the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) and the Ulster Defence Association (UDA).
Despite widespread public outrage and a series of charges that were later dropped, no convictions have ever been secured in connection to the murder. Friends and family of Martin have voiced frustration over what they consider to be unfulfilled promises by police and government officials to bring those responsible to justice. They also feel his murder has not been given the same level of attention and recognition as other high-profile killings. Notably, Martin O’Hagan holds the grim distinction of being the first journalist killed in Northern Ireland since the Troubles began in 1969.
As a reporter for the Sunday World newspaper, Martin earned a reputation for his exposés uncovering paramilitary activities and drug dealing in Northern Ireland. His work particularly angered local paramilitary leadership, including the late LVF leader Billy Wright, whom Martin had labeled the “King Rat” due to his criminal dealings. Martin’s brother, Fintan, told BBC News NI that there were rumors Martin was investigating collusion and financial dealings of the LVF, although no evidence ever surfaced. Fintan reflected on Martin’s decision to move to a loyalist estate on the outskirts of Mourneview, describing it as a “foolish thing to do” that made Martin vulnerable.
Fintan now suspects that those behind Martin’s murder were British agents. A 2022 BBC Spotlight investigation revealed that within 48 hours of the attack, police had been given names of suspects but did not act on the information. Given the extensive surveillance on the Mid Ulster LVF, Fintan finds it “unbelievable” that intelligence services were not aware of the planned killing. The family has raised numerous concerns with the Police Ombudsman’s office and expressed skepticism about an impending report, cautioning that without the inclusion of key facts, “it’s not worth the paper it’s written on.” While they remain “hopeful,” repeated disappointments have tempered their expectations, leading them to approach developments in a “business-like fashion.”
The Police Ombudsman’s office confirmed that new Ombudsman Jacqui Durkin, appointed in June, has been in contact with the O’Hagan family and made completing the public statement a priority. She is reviewing the draft and will soon provide the family with a timeline for publication. Meanwhile, a UK government spokesperson condemned Martin’s murder, calling it a “horrific attack on freedom of speech,” and urged anyone with information to come forward. They emphasized that the safety of journalists is “paramount” and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting journalists from violence and intimidation.
Richard Sullivan, a former colleague of Martin’s at the Sunday World, recalled how the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, John Reid, had promised in their offices that no effort would be spared to catch Martin’s killers and to ensure journalists could work without fear. Sullivan noted, however, that threats against journalists persist even today, and after a quarter of a century, there are still no prosecutions. Martin’s case has often been contrasted with that of Veronica Guerin, a Dublin journalist murdered five years earlier who had exposed organized crime. Following Guerin’s death, the Irish government rapidly enacted legislation such as the Proceeds of Crime Act 1996 and the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996, leading to significant action against organized crime figures. Guerin’s murderer, Brian Meehan, was convicted as a result.
Despite two-and-a-half decades passing, Fintan remains determined to seek answers about his brother’s death. He explained, “What I’m doing is not just for Martin, it’s for me because if I wasn’t doing anything the guilt would kill me for not doing something for my brother.” At the same time, he acknowledges that as time goes on, the likelihood of justice diminishes. He reflected on the difficulties faced by inquiries plagued by obstacles and noted that as public interest fades, only family, friends, and close colleagues remain invested. Fintan also expressed a belief that if the state is involved, as he suspects, it would be unlikely to vigorously pursue those responsible.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) reiterated their ongoing appeal for anyone with relevant information to come forward. They added that since the case is presently under investigation by the Police Ombudsman, they were unable to provide further comment at this time
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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