NUJ demands new investigation into O'Hagan murder - and condemns Loyalist campaign against newspaper

The National Union of Journalists has called on the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to hand over the
investigation into the murder of Martin O'Hagan to an outside police force.

In a statement to mark the fourth anniversary of the murder of
journalist Martin O'Hagan, the NUJ has again called for an acceleration
of the investigation into his killing and has also condemned the ongoing
campaign by Loyalists against the Sunday World.

The union has also warned that journalism in Northern Ireland is under
threat as a result of the instability with the upsurge in street
violence and divisions within Loyalism.

Martin O'Hagan was shot dead by a gunman as he and his wife Marie walked
home from a night out in a local pub in Lurgan on September 28 2001. The
shots were fired from a passing car, which drove away at high speed.

Calling for the involvement of an outside force in the investigation NUJ
Irish Secretary Séamus Dooley said rumours linking police informers to
the death of Martin O'Hagan raised fundamental questions about the murder.

Mr Dooley said: "In our discussions with the PSNI we have been advised
that the police do not have sufficient evidence to bring charges against
the suspects. We naturally accept that charges can only be brought on
foot of strong evidence.

"There is also a strong belief that the police know who killed Martin
O'Hagan. Throughout Northern Ireland there is a deep suspicion that some
of those linked to the murder have had an association with the police
and army and are in some way protected from prosecution.

"The only way this matter can be resolved is for the Chief Constable of
the PSNI to hand over the investigation to an outside body. At the very
least the O'Hagan murder must be put on the cold case list and given
priority as one of the many unsolved murders in the North."

The NUJ Irish Secretary condemned the campaign against the Sunday World
by Loyalist groups and paid tribute to Editor Jim McDowell and the
journalists at the Belfast office who have stood firm in the face of
intimidation.

Mr Dooley said: "This latest intimidation against the paper and against
newsagents is another blow to democracy in Northern Ireland. The
decision to target media workers is extremely sinister. The campaign
against newsagents has been terrifying. Stacks of the newspaper have
been set alight inside shops, shopkeepers have been threatened and at
least one shop owner was told he would be shot if he continued to sell
the paper. Van drivers have been threatened and vehicles hijacked.

This action by the UDA strikes at the heart of democracy and represents
an assault on the right to freedom of expression. Mr Dooley added:
"Against this backdrop the NUJ is concerned at the decision of the PSNI
to request journalists and photographers to hand over information
relating to recent street violence, including photographic footage. The
NUJ is advising members not to co-operate with this request. The role of
journalists is not to act as agents of the security forces. If those
responsible for instigating street violence believed the media were
going to co-operate with the security forces, reporters and camera crews
would be under even greater threat."

NUJ President Tim Lezard called on employers to give priority to the
safety of journalists covering street violence. "It is essential that
the health and welfare of journalists is not put at risk. Journalists
should not be required to operate alone in risky situations and risk
assessments must be constantly undertaken," he said.

Mr Lezard said that the NUJ continues to mourn the loss of Martin
O'Hagan and remains mindful of the pain felt by the wife and family of
Martin.