The NUJ brands as ‘unacceptable’ the delay in releasing a report into the murder of journalist Martin O’Hagan in Lurgan and calls on the Police Ombudsman to publish it immediately.

Mr O’Hagan was shot dead as he walked home from a night out in his home town with his wife Marie on September 28, 2001.

-

Death threats targeting party colleague condemned by Lord Mayor of Armagh City, ...

Martin O'Hagan, a journalist with the Sunday World, was shot dead near his home in Lurgan, Co Armagh on September 28, 2001. Photo courtesy of Kevin Cooper.

-

Loyalist paramilitaries were suspects in his killing as Mr O’Hagan had been probing their criminal activity for many years.

No one has been brought to justice for his murder sparking fears of a cover-up.

Laura Davison, NUJ general secretary and Séamus Dooley, NUJ assistant general secretary, jointly wrote urging the release of a report into police-handling of the murder of journalist Martin O'Hagan.

The letter was sent on October 30, days before International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (2 November).

Letters were also sent to Naomi Long MLA, justice minister and Chris Bryant, Secretary of State for NI.

It said: “The murder of Martin O'Hagan on 28 September 2001 predates the designation by the United Nations General Assembly of that significant date in the UN calendar.

"That designation was made in 2013, the same year that the police investigation into that murder was referred to your office by the Public Prosecution Service. The report of that investigation has never been published.

"Profound questions about the police investigation remain unanswered. No one has been successfully prosecuted for the murder of Martin, an investigative journalist with the Sunday World and the secretary of our Belfast and district branch.

"Initial charges brought against suspects were dropped and there was deep concern about the nature of the investigation, the handing of evidence and the possibility of a cover up surrounding those involved in the planning and execution of the murder. These concerns remain.

"Members of Mr O'Hagan's family were told in 2024 that the OPONI report had been completed.

"In correspondence released by Niall Murphy, solicitor acting for Martin's brother earlier this year, the Chief Executive of OPONI, Mr Hugh Hume said the OPONI was awaiting the appointment of a new Ombudsman before publishing the report.

"At the time the NUJ joined Amnesty International in expressing disappointment, given that the powers of the Police Ombudsman had been designated to the senior staff of OPONI in December 2025,” they said adding they had hoped the report would be published following her appointment.”

The NUJ gathered on the 25th anniversary of Martin’s death in September with Mr O’Hagan’s daughters, colleagues and other trade unions members.

"We gathered to celebrate Martin's legacy as a journalist and as a trade unionist. We also gathered in anger at his killing, at the failure of the PSNI to secure safe prosecutions and at the unacceptable delay by OPONI in publishing the long-delayed report.

"On International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists we are requesting immediate publication of the report and would welcome the opportunity of a meeting with you to discuss our concerns.”

A Police Ombudsman spokesperson said: “Since her appointment as Police Ombudsman, Jacqui Durkin, has been in contact with the O’Hagan family and assured them that the completion of the public statement is one of her early priorities. She is actively reviewing the draft public statement and will provide the family with a publication timeline in due course.”