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TODAY THE OSCE’s representative on Freedom of the Media urged UK authorities to re-launch a criminal investigation into the murder of Northern Irish journalist Martin O’Hagan 13 years ago.
O’Hagan, a reporter for the Sunday World, was shot in September 2001 while walking with his wife near his home in Lurgan. No one has ever been charged with his murder, though the Sunday World has claimed Ulster paramilitary forces were behind it.
In a statement today, Dunja Mijatović said it is “unacceptable” that so much time has passed and not one person has been held responsible for what he called “a public execution”.
“The failure to prosecute can create an environment of impunity for those who might attack journalists,” he said.
The National Union of Journalists welcomed his comments with General Secretary Michelle Stanistreet commenting that they serve “as a timely reminder of the failure of the PSNI to secure a conviction for the murder of a journalist of commitment, courage and integrity”.
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Too Many people have died in NI and the PSNI/RUC have covered it up or are not actively investigating it because it does not suit the political agenda. Martin was executed on his doorstep coming home from a night out with his wife, that was no way for anyone to die especially Martin a kind and generous man with a wicked sense of humor who loved his profession. he would have freely admitted that he was the biggest hack with a big grin on his face. #nojustice until his killers are behind bars for the rest of their lives.
Evidence?
I mean it’s terrible but any evidence for what you are claiming. Is there any credible evidence.
How many cover-ups do you need, David?
To understand how the UK establishment does coverups of Government sanctioned mass murder of civilians just start with David Cameron’s apology in the UK Parliament for the Bloody Sunday murders and work backwards in a methodical way. It is not attractive :-(
Why is the death of a journalist any more important than any other death?
I’m interested to see the responses your comment receives from the readers.
The difference is he was murdered which is different to someone who had a heart attack for example! That’s the difference.
@ sceptics
I’m sure that was a loaded question.
I’ll tell you anyway. Hacks take massive risks to their lives by investigating and publishing pieces.
Nobody said it was more important.
The answer is in the article – the failure to prosecute may encourage others to act with impunity.
Journo’s (some) put themselves at risk to investigate and expose those involved in organised crime or state abuse. Each death is important and it’s why stats on how many journalists are killed or locked up are measured. The worst offenders are usually police states and dictatorships. Not great company to be keeping.
Every murder should be throughly investigated irrespective of the occupation of the victim. Firefighters, ambulance men etc, the organisations that represent such groups are right to highlight the lack of closure. All should be included.
He was murdered by the LVF. The killers were all Special Branch agents. Swinger Fulton is dead but the others are still around. Working for Special Branch was carte blanche to do what you liked and they’re still protected today in order to protect their handlers. There isn’t 1 person in NI that doesn’t know this
Even I know that and I’m English!
The loyalist paramilitaries gained the majority of their intelligence directly frim the armed forces, special branch etc- including information gleaned from British spy networks!
The attitude seems to be its better to bury it all and eventually people will forget! – how is this mans family and friends ever going to forget!
The British state has always been about one side of society pissing on the heads of another side of society! -whether in NI or the UK!- the system is rotten to the core and protects the elite even when they are responsible for murders such as this!
Sickening!
Pity the Scots didn’t have the sense to vote for Independence!
Dunya is not a male she is a lady!
We need to learn to forgive each other, rather than kill each other.
have your say