Paul Quinn’s mother issues appeal ‘woman-to-woman’
THE mother of Paul Quinn has issued a heartfelt appeal through The Anglo-Celt for any mother, sister, or daughter of the men suspected of her son’s killing to come forward.
Breege Quinn said she was making this specific appeal “woman-to-woman”.
On October 20, 2007, Paul Quinn, a 21-year-old lorry driver from Cullyhanna, Co Armagh, was lured six miles across the border to outbuildings near Oram, Co Monaghan, where he was beaten to death by up to 10 armed men.
Every major bone in Paul’s body was broken in the sustained and brutal attack. He died in hospital two hours later.
It has long been established that, a short time before his murder, Paul had fallen foul of members of the South Armagh IRA.
His parents, Breege and Stephen Quinn, have always maintained their son was killed by local IRA men, a view backed by the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) in 2008.
A subsequent report by IMC determined the murder happened over an internal personal dispute rather than an official command or strategy by IRA leadership.
Last month, to coincide with the 19th anniversary of the young man’s murder, An Garda Siochána in Castleblayney issued a fresh appeal for information.
Speaking to the men who were in the shed and their friends and family who “continue to carry the burden of knowing what happened to Paul on their conscience”, lead investigator, Detective Superintendent Ronan Carey, said: “Time has now passed, and the nature of relationships may have changed.”
He urged anyone “who was afraid to talk to us over the last 19 years to now come forward”.
Detective Superintendent Carey said solving this murder “is of utmost priority for An Garda Síochána”.
MOTHER’S APPEAL
When the Celt spoke with Breege Quinn following her son’s recent anniversary, she described how she “just wanted to hide” but still mustered the strength to attend Paul’s mass with her family as usual.
Breege says she knows the men suspected of being responsible for her son’s murder.
“I know them, their families; they’re so well protected,” Mrs Quinn told the Celt.
The mother said the Quinn family are “just waiting” for a development in Paul’s case, and concede that An Garda Síochána can’t keep them abreast of every single new lead.
“They can’t tell me, which is a good thing, I think,” says Breege, adding that “with the help of God” she remains “hopeful” of justice for her son and closure for her family from this terrible situation.
Turning her attention to the men who carried out her son’s murder Breege says “their families can’t be happy either.”
“I would appeal to women – the mothers or girlfriends of these sons, boyfriends and husbands to come forward.
“I would encourage them to tell because it must be on their conscience as well.
“When they go to bed at night, these things must play in their minds,” Breege continued.
Speaking directly to female relations of the perpetrators Breege said: “Stop the nightmare for me but also for yourself.”
And to everyone who could help her family get justice for her son who was so violently murdered aged just 21, Breege reminds them: “None of us is promised tomorrow.
“If you don’t take the information to someone now, you will take it with you to your death and there is a reckoning for that, I’m sure.”
Breege said anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, can provide it anonymously to her family, An Garda Síochána or any relevant authority.
In his earlier appeal, Det Supt Carey also said that any information received by An Garda Síochána and PSNI will be “treated with absolute confidentiality”.
Anyone with information can contact Castleblayney Garda Station on 042-9747900, the Garda Confidential Telephone line on 1800-666-111 or Crimestoppers (Northern Ireland) on 0800-555-111.