Reid pays tribute to murdered journalist

Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid paid tribute to murdered journalist Martin O’Hagan as he arrived in Dublin today for talks on the Ulster peace process with Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen.

Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid paid tribute to murdered journalist Martin O’Hagan as he arrived in Dublin today for talks on the Ulster peace process with Foreign Minister Brian Cowen.

Ahead of seeing the minister, Dr Reid went to the Dublin headquarters offices of the Sunday World, the newspaper that employed Mr O’Hagan, who was shot dead in Lurgan, Co Armagh, last month.

There, he passed on his condolences to editor, Colm McGinty and other senior executives.

Dr Reid told the journalists: ‘‘Don’t stop using your power to continue to isolate and cast out those who bring nothing but misery to their communities.’’

Later, Dr Reid arrived at the Dublin base of the Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs for discussions with both Mr Cowen and junior minister, Liz O’Donnell, who met him on the steps of the city centre building.