Murder suspect not yet questioned

Martin O'Hagan was shot dead near his home

One of the main suspects in the murder of a journalist in County Armagh a year ago has yet to be questioned, police have revealed.

Martin O'Hagan, who was an investigative reporter with the newspaper, the Sunday World, was shot dead near his Lurgan home on 28 September last year.

Speaking on the anniversary of his death, police said they had made numerous attempts to contact the main suspect, who lives outside Northern Ireland.

Martin O'Hagan: Investigative journalist

Detective Chief Inspector Charlie Patterson said: "During the investigation, eight people have been questioned.

"One suspect still has to be located, but we believe him to be outside the jurisdiction.

"My officers have made numerous attempts to contact him."

Scene revisited

Hardline loyalists were blamed for the murder. It is believed he became too close to revealing details of the involvement of the Loyalist Volunteer Force in drugs dealing.

Police officers revisited the scene of the killing on Friday night and carried out inquiries around the Carnegie Inn where Mr O'Hagan and his wife were drinking beforehand.

DCI Patterson said detectives were interested in finding out more information about two cars linked to the shooting.

"The first is a silver Subaru Impreza, which we believe the gunmen used in the murder of Martin.

"The second is a silver Ford Orion car, which was found in Glenavon Lane shortly after the murder, which we believe may have been left as a possible decoy for the Subaru."

Meanwhile, the National Union of Journalists said it was "gravely concerned" Mr O'Hagan's killers remained at large after 12 months.

General Secretary Jeremy Dear said the murder was a "direct attack on the freedom of the press and struck at the very heart of democracy".