Martin O'Hagan, 1950-2001
Sunday World colleagues shouldered the coffin
More than 1,500 people attended the funeral in Lurgan of slain Sunday World journalist, Martin O'Hagan. Speaking at the graveside, Father Brian D'Arcy described the reporter as a tenacious seeker of the truth and said it was up to other journalists to carry on the work for which he died. The RUC Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan said that inquiries into the weekend murder are centring on the Loyalist Volunteer Force.
The Red Hand Defenders, a cover name for the LVF and the Ulster Defence Association, have claimed responsibility for the murder. The killing has been condemned by the European Commission and Downing Street. A spokesman for the British Prime Minister said that all paramilitary ceasefires are kept constantly under review.
The SDLP is to press the Northern Secretary for a new assessment of the state of Loyalist paramilitary ceasefires following Mr O'Hagan's murder.
