UUP peer: 'Top republicans involved in Quinn murder'

A senior Ulster Unionist has claimed that senior republicans were involved in the murder of Paul Quinn in Co Monaghan last month.

Mr Laird used his parliamentary privilege in the British House of Lords yesterday to name those he claimed were involved.

He said prominent republicans were consulted and gave permission for the brutal attack that led to the death of Mr Quinn at an isolated farm near Oram.

Lord Laird said almost 20 republicans were directly involved in the killing, which resulted from a dispute between the victim and the son of a local IRA chief in south Armagh.

The claims are likely to put further pressure on the peace process.

The DUP's Jeffrey Donaldson has already said his party will be seeking a meeting with the British Prime Minister to consider the political implications, if it is proven that the IRA was involved at a high level.