A man has been arrested in Sheffield as part of investigation into murder of Lurgan journalist Martin O’Hagan.
On September 28, 2001, the Sunday World reporter was shot dead in the north Armagh town by members of an illegal paramilitary group.
Today (Friday, April 4), detectives from PSNI’s Legacy Investigation Branch, investigating Mr O’Hagan’s murder, have confirmed the arrest a 42-year-old man as part of the overall investigation.
He was arrested in the Sheffield area on Thursday morning, with the assistance of Counter Terrorism Policing North East and South Yorkshire Police, and has been transported to Northern Ireland for questioning in the Serious Crime Suite at Musgrave Police Station.
Detectives also conducted a search of a property in the Sheffield area as part of the operation.
Last September, Amnesty International backed calls by National Union of Journalists for a fresh investigation into the killing.
Speaking at the time, Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland Director, said: “The public execution of Martin O’Hagan was designed to send a clear message to journalists in Northern Ireland that they are not safe.
“It is simply unacceptable that, in the twenty-three years since Martin O’Hagan was shot dead, not a single person has been held accountable.
“This failure has created an environment of impunity for those who continue to threaten journalists in Northern Ireland today.
“It is notable that, in 2024, threats of serious violence continue to be directed at journalists from the very same sort of armed groups which killed Martin O’Hagan.
“We support calls from the National Union of Journalists for a fresh investigation into the killing. Press freedom must be resolutely defended.”
