European Federation of Journalists

Irish government urged to back demands for action on O’Hagan murder


The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) has joined its affiliate, the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the UK and Ireland, calling on the Irish government to apply pressure on British prime minister Theresa May for a new investigation into the murder of Sunday World journalist and NUJ activist Martin O’Hagan.  On the 15th anniversary of his death, the NUJ has called on the Irish foreign affairs minister, Charlie Flanagan, to support the call by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for the authorities in the UK to intensify their efforts to find the killers.

Dunja Mijatović, an OSCE freedom of the media representative, said,  “Fifteen years on from this horrific murder, no one has been brought to justice for the killing of O’Hagan. It is high time for justice to be served in this case.”

Séamus Dooley, NUJ Irish secretary, said, “We need an independent, external investigation into the murder of Martin O’Hagan. As in cases of other unsolved murders in Northern Ireland, the failure to secure convictions is an added source of pain and suffering to relatives, friends and media colleagues. What is of particular concern is that those responsible for Martin’s death are believed to be shielded because they were in cahoots with the authorities, as paid police informers.

“On the day of his vicious murder Martin attended a meeting of the Belfast and district branch of the NUJ. Tomorrow he will be in the thoughts of the branch as they once again gather for their September meeting. NUJ members will never forget Martin and will never accept that his murder should go unpunished.”

Mogens Blicher Bjerregård, EFJ President said, ”We must end the culture of impunity and bring the killer(s) to justice for Martin and his families.”

(photo credit: NUJ)