Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)

Yesterday marked the 18th anniversary of the murder of 21-year-old Paul Quinn near Oram in County Monaghan. This young man from Cullyhanna in County Armagh was murdered after being lured to a shed by a number of men. He suffered a horrible, violent death and the perpetrators showed no mercy. Up to ten individuals were involved in beating him with iron and nail-studded bars for upwards of 30 minutes. He was a 21-year-old lad and they broke every single bone in his body. His mother Breege, father Stephen and the extended Quinn family are appealing for information and begging for answers. Breege Quinn has said there is “no justice, no convictions, no accountability” and that “the silence is unbearable.”

In the course of the investigation, 23 people have been arrested, including 14 people by the Garda and nine by the PSNI. The Garda and the PSNI are continuing their investigations. However, Breege Quinn and the Quinn family know there are people in the community who have information and have not yet come forward. Yesterday, the Quinn family renewed that appeal for anybody with information to please come forward and pass that information on to Castleblayney Garda station or any Garda station or to the confidential Garda telephone line, 1800 666 111. I echo the appeal from the Quinn family and the Garda for anyone with any information, no matter how small or insignificant they may feel it is, to please come forward.