Ahern assures parents of probe

THE parents of Paul Quinn, the 21-year-old who was murdered in a shed in Co Monaghan, were yesterday given assurances by the Taoiseach that his killing would be vigorously investigated.

The Taoiseach was an unexpected attendee at the meeting arranged with the Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan by Fianna Fáil Monaghan TD Margaret Conlon.

Yesterday, Briede Quinn, said she was satisfied with the Taoiseach’s recent statement that conceded her son was not a criminal.

“It went very well. We’re very pleased. He says the gardaí are doing their very best. They’re working very hard. They’re getting a great response from the people in Northern Ireland and the South,” she said.

“He’ll make sure it won’t be swept under the carpet. We’re very happy that coming up to Christmas, Paul’s name has been cleared of criminality.”

SDLP MLA Dominic Bradley said the Garda Síochána and PSNI investigation was proceeding satisfactorily.

However, he said “one of the things that makes this investigation more difficult is that those involved and responsible for Paul’s murder sprayed the scene of crime with chemicals in order to destroy DNA traces which would have helped in bringing about a resolution”.

He added the Government had committed to ensuring “no stone is left unturned until Paul’s killers are brought to justice”. He appealed to Sinn Féin’s Conor Murphy to retract statements linking Mr Quinn to criminality.

“This week has been a very significant week for the campaign for justice for Paul,” he said.

Margaret Conlon, TD said: “I felt that in the run-up to Christmas in what will be a very difficult Christmas for the Quinn family, any comfort or reassurance the Irish government could give them to ease the burden and the pain they feel was certainly to be welcomed.”

Tomorrow, the family are meeting secretary of state for the North, Shaun Woodward.