Parents of IRA victim appeal for leading US politician to aid justice crusade

The parents of an IRA murder victim have asked the most influential Irish-American politician in Washington to put pressure on Sinn Fein to help them in their justice campaign.

Breege and Stephen Quinn have written to Congressman Richie Neal, the powerful new chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

They asked DUP leader Arlene Foster to deliver their letter to him during her St Patrick’s Day trip to the US. She said Congressman Neal had promised to personally reply to the family. Paul Quinn from Cullyhanna in south Armagh was brutally beaten to death by the IRA in 2008.

The 21-year-old was lured to a barn across the border where he was attacked by a gang wielding iron bars and nail-studded cudgels.

Every bone in his body below his neck was broken.

Although more than 20 people have been arrested during the murder investigation – including Padraig ‘Paudie’ Treanor, a former driver for Sinn Fein MLA Conor Murphy – none have been charged.

In the letter to the Congressman, the Quinns wrote: “We are a father and mother who grieve for our son who was killed in a heinous and gruesome way at the hands of terrorists.

“He was so badly beaten (we) could not put rosary beads in his hands when he was put in his coffin. His ear was ripped up and his coffin had to be covered over with a net, so that we could not touch him. It was so upsetting to see him.”

They accused Sinn Fein of not lifting a finger to help them secure justice.

“Sinn Fein know about this death. They know who carried it out, but since that night in 2007, they have done nothing but provide cover ups,” they wrote.

“We have had to fight for justice. That’s why we need your help in our quest for justice. We recognise the strong Irish-American links that exist and so it is imperative that we try every avenue available to help us get the help we need.”

Mrs Quinn added: “People know what happened to my son. Eleven years on the pain and hurt caused to our family still exists.

“I do not know how people can sleep at night, as there have been days when I can’t get up in the morning with grief.”

The Quinns told Congressman Neal that after their son’s death, Mr Murphy said he had spoken to the IRA and was satisfied it wasn’t involved. He linked the murder to a feud among criminals.

The family claimed the Sinn Fein politician “misrepresented” the murder and have repeatedly ask him to lift his “disgraceful slur” against their son.

Last year Mr Murphy told the Irish News that claims he had branded Mr Quinn a criminal were “without any foundation”.

He insisted he had condemned the murder and “said consistently that the Quinn family deserve justice”. He called on anyone with information about the killing to contact the PSNI or Garda.

The Quinns told Congressman Neal: “Let nobody tell you that the IRA has ‘left the stage’, they still exist. They are responsible for our son’s death. We hope that you will help us find justice.”

Mrs Foster, who met the Quinns a fortnight ago, said she had promised to deliver the letter to the politician.

“I was pleased that Richie Neal committed to read it in detail and that he was already aware of the case,” she said.

“Importantly when I met Rep Neal the day after, he spoke to me very passionately about the case. He said, having read the letter, he would reply personally to Mr and Mrs Quinn.”

The DUP leader added: “No one has the right to take another’s life, no matter how important the perpetrators may think they are. There are people who know exactly what happened to Paul.

“Intimidation for speaking out against IRA bully-boy members should not be allowed to continue.

“That’s why I raised this matter with Richie Neal given our important Irish-American links and urged him to use his influence to press for justice for the Quinn family.”

Belfast Telegraph