Call for information regarding Quinn murder

People with information on the IRA-linked murder of a Co Armagh trucker must come forward, the Dáil heard today.

Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan made the call as he opened a parliamentary debate on the October 20 killing of Paul Quinn in a shed in Co Monaghan.

As Mr Quinn’s father Stephen and other close relatives looked on from the Dáil’s public gallery, cross-party TDs expressed sympathy and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

Stephen and Briege Quinn have led a high-profile cross Border campaign and met the Taoiseach and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern in Dublin in December.

Mr Quinn’s parents have blamed members of the IRA for the death of their 23-year-old son, whom they claimed had defied orders to leave the country by the terrorist group.

However the Government claims the Garda has no information to suggest the attack was authorised by or carried out on behalf of the IRA.

Mr Quinn died in hospital after being severely beaten by a gang of up to a dozen men wielding iron bars and wearing balaclavas and boiler suits.

Mr Lenihan today told the Dáil: “It is vitally important that people with information which might help find the people responsible and bring them to justice make it known.

“I include those who may not have been directly involved but nonetheless are party to what could be vital information – I urge them to examine their consciences and to ask themselves whether they can stand by while young men are beaten to death?”

Mr Lenihan also condemned speculation of intimidation of potential witnesses in the investigation.“If that has happened or is happening I condemn it. I’m sure all members of the Dáil join me in that condemnation,” he said.

Gardaí, who are co-operating closely with the PSNI, are pursuing 1,200 lines of inquiry into the murder and have taken more than 400 statements.

Other speakers on the debate included TDs Liz McManus, Sean Sherlock, Seymour Crawford, Margaret Conlon, Rory O’Hanlon and Seamus Kirk.

Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghin O Caolain condemned the murder and called for witnesses to come forward.

“It shocked and sickened people in the Border Counties and throughout Ireland. It was a despicable act of brutality and murder carried out by people who deserve only the contempt and the condemnation of society,” he said.

The murder will also be debated in the Northern Ireland Assembly in Belfast next week.