Fresh enquires into Paul Quinn murder

The enquiries were made approaching the 14th anniversary of Mr Quinn's death which occurred on October 20, 2017.

Gardai and the PSNI launched a joint operation visiting a number of addresses as part of fresh wave of enquiries into the murder of Paul Quinn in Monaghan almost 14 years ago.

Detectives from Carrickmacross conducted a joint operation in South Armagh earlier this week, with the assistance of local PSNI officers and Detectives attached to the PSNI major investigation team.

The door-to-door visits occurred on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 17 and 18, and both investigation teams continue to encourage anyone with information in relation to the horrific murder to contact Gardaí in Castleblayney (042 9747900), the Garda confidential number (1800666111) or PSNI.

The enquiries were made approaching the 14th anniversary of Mr Quinn's death which occurred on October 20, 2007.

The young Cullyhanna man was just 21-years-old when he was lured to a secluded barn at Tullyvanus, Castleblaney and attacked by a group of up to 10 men armed with iron bars and cudgels, and who mercilessly broke nearly every bone in his body below his neck.

He later died in hospital as a result of the extent of his injuries.

A further 10 other people are suspected of providing logistical assistance to Mr Quinn's attackers.

Investigators believe Mr Quinn was targeted as an act of reprisal after he had a row with a relative of a senior local IRA member in the area.

An extensive Garda investigation remains “ongoing” as of today. A number of arrests have been made to date, and statements taken from people suspected of having knowledge of the killing.

Mr Quinn's murder was also the subject of investigation by An Garda Siochana's Serious Crime Review Team, with a preliminary report of their findings issues in October 2019. Officers believe there are still people with information in the community who have never come forward, and appeal for those people to do so now.

Mr Quinn’s mother Breege has also made a number of direct and public appeals for information which may lead to her son's killers being brought to justice.

In a 2008 report, the International Monitoring Commission, set up to inspect paramilitary activity, did not attribute Mr Quinn's killing to the IRA directly, nor were they aware of evidence linking it to the leadership of the paramilitary organisation.

However, the IMC did say the gang that carried out the murder involved people believed to be “associated” with the IRA locally, including possibly “members of the organisation”.