Gardaí renew murder appeal 19 years on from Paul Quinn killing in Monaghan
Gardaí have renewed their appeal for information on the 19th anniversary of the murder of 21-year-old Paul Quinn in Co Monaghan. Twenty-three people have been arrested during the investigation.
Murder of Paul Quinn: fresh appeal issued on 19th anniversary
Twenty-three people have been arrested in the course of the investigation into the murder of Paul Quinn, lmfm.ie reports, as Gardaí mark the 19th anniversary of his death with a renewed public appeal.
On the evening of Saturday 20 October 2007, Quinn, aged 21, and a friend travelled by car to outbuildings at Tullyvanus, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan. A gang of between eight and ten masked men, some armed with weapons, attacked the pair on arrival. Both were tied up, and Quinn was subjected to what investigators describe as a violent and sustained assault.
The gang fled the scene in what is believed to have been a white van. That vehicle has never been recovered, and Gardaí are still seeking information that could assist in identifying and locating it.
Of the 23 people arrested to date, 14 were detained by An Garda Síochána in this jurisdiction and nine by the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Both forces continue to work closely across the Monaghan–Armagh border.
Detective Superintendent Ronan Carey thanked the community for providing new and valuable lines of enquiry and issued a direct appeal to those with knowledge of the events of that night.
"Today I am again renewing my appeal to you, the local community, because you have the information we need to progress this investigation," Carey said. "I am particularly appealing to the people in the Cullyhanna area of South Armagh. I am appealing to those men who were in the shed and also to friends or family members of these men who know what happened on the 20th of October 2007."
Carey acknowledged that fear may have previously prevented people from coming forward. "Time has now passed and the nature of relationships may have changed. I appeal to anyone who was afraid to talk to us over the last 19 years to now come forward. Maybe there was a reason you were afraid, but now is the time to come forward and tell us what you know in confidence."
He also made a direct appeal on behalf of Quinn's parents. "I ask that you help us to bring closure to Paul's parents Breege and Stephen Quinn, who continue to suffer the terrible loss of their son Paul," Carey said.
An Garda Síochána has described solving the murder as a matter of utmost priority. The Quinn family continues to be updated regularly on any developments in the case.
Anyone with information can contact Castleblayney Garda Station on 042 974 7900, the Garda Confidential Telephone line on 1800 666 111, or Crimestoppers (Northern Ireland) on 0800 555 111.
Source: Google News IE — Crime (en)