Unsurprisingly, the same newspaper we never read articles about British Military Intelligence, MI5 or the RUC/PSNI Special Branch. Whose role during the conflict have been responsible for hundreds of killings of working-class people. Readers never read double-page exposes of the killers behind Bloody Sunday, the Ballymurphy Massercre, McGurk's. There are no articles about the dropping of copious amounts of CR Gas on defenceless Political Prisoners iin the Cages of Long Kesh in 1974. Nor the photos of the SAS and RUC Death Squads who gunned down dozens of young men during the many Shoot-To-Kill Operations. The names of Special Branch and MI5 Handlers are not printed in the Sunday World of those who colluded in the deaths of coutless citizens across the Six Counties.
Journalists and an Editorial Team in a Newspaper who fail to take into account how much hurt is caused by baseless articles against those still deemed a threat by the British State. Wifes', husbands and partners left confused. Young children who suffer the side-affects in scores of schools facing bullies reiterating corrupt headlines up and down the country. Strories printed in a newspaper does not make them factual, they are what they are. Without the facts, they are engaging in demonisation and only adds to increased suspicion by the public.
Martin O'Hagan
Whilst the Media have a right to inform the public as part of Freedom of Speech. They also have a moral obligation not to cause distress to that public. Many of the stories published by the Sunday World do just that. A few years ago, a young man obviously suffering from illness committed sucide in public view. The paper uncaringly published a large photo of the terrible scene on it's front page. Without any feeling for the grieving family of the deceased nor anyone who bought the newspaper. A number of Journalists employed by the paper hurt come from dubious backgrounds. Such as Hugh Jordan, a former member of the Official Republican Movement. Who became a feirce critic of Republicans and advocate of the British State in Ireland. Martin O'Hagan, a former Political Prisoner who followed the same path as Jordan. O'Hagan was shot dead by the LVF in 2001.
"Sorry to say, I was given the wrong information about Eileen Calder being married to Hugh Jordan. It has since been totally removed from the following paragraph. Consequently, I apoligise unreservedly to Eileen Calder and her family for any hurt and distress I have caused them".
Last Thursday June 6 2013, the Sunday World contacted my sister Mary, concerning a recent Courtcase she was a Chief Witness in. They asked for an interview and arrangements were made for Journalist, Steven Moore and a Photographer to call to her Ardoyne home. The following morning, I recieved a call from my Aunt in West Belfast who said a Journalist had called to her home wanting to interview her about the same hearing. He claimed he had driven from Dublin and worked for the Sunday World. I was quite surprised, as I was aware that my sister had arrangements with the same newspaper for an interview and told her so. As a result of the phone call, my Aunt refused to conduct any interview with the caller. When the team from the Sunday World arrived, they were asked about the identity of the person who called to my Aunts. They immediately contacted the Editor, who later confirmed that Hugh Jordan had indeed called to her home. At the time, we thought it bizzare.
Last Thursday June 6 2013, the Sunday World contacted my sister Mary, concerning a recent Courtcase she was a Chief Witness in. They asked for an interview and arrangements were made for Journalist, Steven Moore and a Photographer to call to her Ardoyne home. The following morning, I recieved a call from my Aunt in West Belfast who said a Journalist had called to her home wanting to interview her about the same hearing. He claimed he had driven from Dublin and worked for the Sunday World. I was quite surprised, as I was aware that my sister had arrangements with the same newspaper for an interview and told her so. As a result of the phone call, my Aunt refused to conduct any interview with the caller. When the team from the Sunday World arrived, they were asked about the identity of the person who called to my Aunts. They immediately contacted the Editor, who later confirmed that Hugh Jordan had indeed called to her home. At the time, we thought it bizzare.
Imagine my surprise today, upon reading a double-page 'article' in the Sunday World penned by Hugh Jordan about my late father, Óglach. Martin Meehan (IRA). Under the seedy headline; 'Dirty Rat'. Jordan claimed it is an 'exclusive' interview with the same Aunt who refused to speak to him last week? Had he actually met her, he would have known that her surname isn't Long, which he claims in today's story! Secondly, he goes on to write an entirely untruthful story that my Dad sought an affair with his sister-in-law, my Aunt shortly after the tragic death of my devoted mother, Mary in 1977. Having spoken to my siblings, nieces, nephews and my own children, we collectively agreed to publicly challenge the so-called Journalist to produce evidence of his 'exclusive' interview with our Aunt. When such an interview took place and where? He goes onto say that our Dad was a; 'Two-timing love Rat'.Even though, he has no basis for such an outragrous claim.
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| Óglach. Martin Meehan and Martin Óg in 2006 |
What is also surprising about the story is that Hugh Jordan chose to publish an untruthful article within days of my sister Mary's tormentor, Briege McLaughlin admitting to criminal charges of Child Cruelty and Actual Bodily Harm (ABH) between 1979 & 1980 in a Belfast Court. A number of sexual abuse charges against McLaughlin were left, 'On the Books' on the orders of the Judge. The former Newtownabbey Councillor is due for sentence on July 2, 2013. Given the severe trauma suffered by Mary and the courageous steps taken by her to waive her 'Right to Anonimity' and speak to the Media about the extent of her abuse to encourage other Victims to find their voice. Jordan's latest 'story' is all the more surprising, given that the today's publication will only add to Mary's woes and inflict more pain hurt on her and her extended family. In spite of suffering from a range of dibilitating illnesses, our Aunt who attended Court last week to support Mary hasas also been hurt by this excuse of an article, as she has never spoken to him.
Maybe today's story in the Sunday World is a lesson in jealousy. In which Hugh Jordan expresses his long-held hatred of my late father? As he realises that he could never have the same level of respect my Dad earned within the Republican family throughout Ireland and beyond. After all apart from trying to blacken the good name of Óglach. Martin Meehan, what did his article achieve today? It only reinforces what the Irish Working-Class already knew of Hugh Jordan, his main interest in life is profiting from lies about various members of society. One can only hope that prior to closing his eyes for the final time, he seeks forgiveness from those he hurt in the name of profit. He would be better suited to working for the Sun Newspaper in London.
















