Margaret Conlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I have raised this matter because I wish to highlight the horrendous murder which happened in my constituency, Cavan-Monaghan, at Tullycora, Oram, County Monaghan, last Saturday.

First, I to extend my sympathies to Paul Quinn's parents, Stephen and Brid, and to his family and friends. This murder was one of the most barbaric acts ever committed on a human being in this country. It only takes one person to kill another with one blow. This young man was lured to an isolated rural area, man-handled out to a shed and up to 15 people with bats, crowbars and pickaxe handles brutally ended his young life.

The point has been made that these savages did not mean to kill Paul Quinn. What other outcome could be expected when a gang of masked men repeatedly attacked one lonely man with weapons? Several politicians were quick to claim they knew who did not commit this awful atrocity. However, there are people who know who did and there are people who instructed that this savage act be carried out.

As a public representative for my constituency, I hope and expect that any honourable citizen of this island, north or south of the Border, who knows anything would give such information to the Garda or the PSNI. I commend Senators Eoghan Harris and David Norris on their statements of a similar nature today in Seanad Éireann.

If there was any paramilitary involvement in this murder, it could have serious ramifications north and south of the Border. We cannot afford to regress and undo the years of hard work which has delivered the new institutions in Northern Ireland. I will always advocate a peaceful resolution to any problem. We have learned over the years that violence is not a resolution to any dispute or cause, and the people who committed this barbarous act are nothing but thugs.

The wall of silence that surrounded the murder of Robert McCartney in Belfast must not be repeated in this case. A newspaper at the time said the dogs on the street knew who did it but still no one has been convicted of his murder. It could well be the same with this case. No one has the right to take the law into their own hands. In the McCartney case, the complete lack of respect for human life coupled with walls of silence has led to no prosecution since that awful killing in Belfast in January 2005. This must not be repeated in this case.

Tied in with this case, it must be noted that Ireland's homicide rates are due to hit a record high this year. I urge the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Brian Lenihan, to introduce new legislation which favours the victims not the criminals. Zero tolerance has become something of a dirty phrase in political circles but that is what is needed to protect the silent majority who are law-abiding citizens.

We, as legislators, must act for the welfare of all citizens of this island. We must act with strength. We must pass anti-racketeering legislation, make our criminal legislation more victim-centred and allow the Garda and the PSNI to cross the Border while in pursuit of criminals. As a Border constituency Government Deputy, I will be pushing this at every opportunity.

Murder is murder. The Lord giveth life and only the Lord may taketh away. There is not just one victim of this crime. A community is in mourning. Paul Quinn's friends, who unwittingly were forced to call him to his death, must be badly affected and traumatised. It is his family who are ultimately left devastated by this heinous crime. They must live with the consequences of these thugs' ruthless and savage actions and their personal loss for the rest of their lives.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

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