Cowen condemns journalist's murder

Foreign Minister Brian Cowen said he had been shocked to hear of the 'appalling murder' of journalist Martin O’Hagan.

He described the killing as ‘a deeply shocking and cynical act’, adding: ‘It was an attack on a dedicated and hardworking journalist and it also represented an assault on one of the fundamental principles of any democratic society – an independent and unfettered media.

‘Those who have carried out this heinous act have absolutely nothing to offer the people of Northern Ireland except fear and silence.”

Mr Cowen extended his sympathy to Mr O’Hagan’s family, his colleagues on the Sunday World and his fellow journalists in Northern Ireland.