Journalist Marty O Hagan shot dead on the 28th September 2001, 2 years on, and still no arrests

antrim | miscellaneous | news report Tuesday September 30, 2003 13:29 by don't tout on me

2 years on, and the PSNI have still not arrested or charged anyone with journalist Marty's murder. As Marty's murder fades into the distance, lost amongst the PSNI bermuda triangle area of unsolved murders within the mid ulster/Portadown area. Marty 'O' Hagan a larger than life fella, with integrity, humour and a down to earth manner, joins the list of statistics of people murdered at the height of the bloody reign of the LVF and Johnny Adair's 'C' company.

NUJ expresses concern that 2 years on, PSNI are no further along in their investigation.

Previously human rights solicitor Rosemary Nelson, had been assasinated by the LVF in the same mid ulster area. Also catholic man Robert Hamill had been beaten to death by LVF loyalists in front of an RUC patrol.

What made the murders of Marty O Hagan, Rosemary Nelson, Gavin Brett, Danny McColgan, and Gerard Lawlor, more shocking, cold blooded and heartless, was the fact that they were all shot dead, at a time of peace. As northern Ireland woke up to a new dawn, with republican and mainstream loyalists laying down their weapons and arms to respect the ceasefire and Good Friday agreement. As the IRA and mainstream republicans ceased their targeting of brit security force personnel and loyalists paramilitaries.

The LVF and 'C' company carried on, with buisness as usual, the buisness of the cold blooded murder of innocent random catholic/protestant civilians and anyone that exposed their exploits.

Marty had been on the investigative trail of LVF members, and had accidently and inadvertently stumbled on their links with local RUC men.

Marty 'O' Hagan was renowned for speaking out against injustice, corruption from whatever source or origin, be it paramilitary or british government.

Marty O Hagan RIP.