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The Other View |
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Issue No.7 Winter 2001
Death of a Journalist Those who murdered Sunday World journalist Martin O Hagan knew they were hitting an easy target. Almost a year to his death Martin had moved from his old home in Clare Street to his new home nearby to the Mourneview estate in Lurgan. The killers did not have far to travel, a matter of minutes, about the same time it would have took Martin to reach his home on the Tandragee Road. He was only yards from his front door when the killers struck. It was the work of cowards. An act which took advantage of the cover of the cease-fire situation. There indeed is the irony. Martin had decided to move into the area believing it was safe and that peace, even if was dropping slowly, was what was in the hearts of all who wanted to move forward into a new era of peace, prosperity and reconciliation. Martin was a dedicated journalist
committed to the truth and to his work as a member of the National Union of
Journalists. He was also a committed socialist who was acutely aware of his own
working class allegiances and origins and the social and economic equalities
created by capitalism. This week a compilation of his writings covering a broad
range of issues from conservation to gay and lesbian rights was launched in
Belfast. Apart from newspaper journalism he was a prolific writer on many
matters of human interest. Any spare time was devoted to his family. His
children went to integrated schools. Marie was a devoted wife and mother who
shared and supported his beliefs and his commitment to journalistic principles.
The O Hagan family are well known and respected in Lurgan Martin O Hagan's inquisitive nature
coupled with his determination to expose corruption and collusion were major
assets to his work and which shaped his philosophy in life. His articles
covering diverse and controversial issues and events over many years in the
Sunday World bear testimony to his fearlessness in the face adversity and
threats to kill him. The attempted murder of his colleague Jim Campbell did not
deter him. He was well aware of the risks associated with his work. He did not
seek accolades. Martin also played a key role in exposing collusion in The
Committee a book that still raises much controversy. He did not succumb to
threats which followed the publication of the book one of which was made shortly
before his murder. Martin O Hagan's murder was
condemned by all sides. Condemnation came from journalists throughout the world,
from politicians such as David Trimble, Seamus Mallon, the Taoiseach Bertie
Ahern and the Secretary of State who described the killing as despicable. But reaction to his murder in the
North does not parallel the same reaction in the south in the wake of Veronica
Guerin's murder. Like the murders of Rosemary Nelson and Pat Finucane who like
Martin were concerned with peoples human rights there will be many questions
unanswered. Nobody has been charged with his murder. A number of people have
been arrested and released. The investigation like the investigation into the
murder of Roemary Nelson whom Martin knew is still ongoing but to date has
produced no results. Martin's funeral was attended by
thousands, many from the world media as well as his old comrades and colleagues
from the NUJ.
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