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Martin O’Hagan: 25 years demanding justice

THE NATIONAL Union of Journalists held two memorial events in Belfast on Monday 28 September 2026 to mark the 25th anniversary of the murder NUJ Member of Honour Martin O'Hagan. Belfast and District Branch held a vigil at Writer's Square in Belfast The vigil was addressed by Kevin Cooper, vice chairperson of the Branch, followed by NUJ assistant general secretary Seamus Dooley. Anne Hailes read the poem The Journalist and Andy McGreggor, piper, played the lament Flowers of the Forest.

Vigil for Matyin O'Hagan - see caption

Seamus Dooley, NUJ assistant general secretary, Patrick Corrigan of Amnesty International, Laura Davison, NUJ General Secretary, and am McBride, Belfast Telegraph Editor, in Writer's Square

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The Sunday World journalist and NUJ member was shot dead by the Loyalist Volunteer Force on 28 September 2001 near his home in Lurgan. Despite repeated calls by the union and wider public, those responsible have evaded justice for a quarter of a century.

The vigil ended with a minute’s silence.

A new union banner was unfurled to mark the event which read “Martin O’Hagan - 25 Years Demanding Justice”.

The vigil was followed by a panel discussion in the Ramada Hotel, Talbot Street, Belfast. Kevin Cooper opened the meeting. Fran McNulty, NUJ Joint President, moderated the panel: Richard Sullivan, Sunday World Northern editor; Laura Davison, NUJ General Secretary; and Rebecca Black, PA journalist. Martin O'Hagan's brother Desmond O'Hagan spoke after the panel discussion.

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In a statement afterwards Kevin Cooper said: “We continue to call on the Police Ombudsman to publish the Martin O’Hagan Report. Martin O’Hagan was murdered because he was doing his job as a journalist, no more no less.

“It is time to end impunity for crimes against journalists. Our thoughts are with all those who suffered loss or injury as a result of our recent conflict and wars around the world. We as journalists continue our commitment to peace, human rights, democracy, justice and truth.”

* Who killed Martin O'Hagan? roundup