Northern Ireland

Murder victim's family challenge Conor Murphy's call for Fr Malachy Finegan inquiry

Sinn Féin's Conor Murphy last month revealed paedophile priest Fr Malachy Finegan physically abused him as a schoolboy. Picture by Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Sinn Féin's Conor Murphy last month revealed paedophile priest Fr Malachy Finegan physically abused him as a schoolboy. Picture by Brian Lawless/PA Wire Sinn Féin's Conor Murphy last month revealed paedophile priest Fr Malachy Finegan physically abused him as a schoolboy. Picture by Brian Lawless/PA Wire

THE family of a south Armagh man brutally murdered more than a decade ago have challenged Sinn Féin's Conor Murphy following his call for an investigation into the actions of a paedophile priest.

The Newry and Armagh MLA last month revealed he had been physically abused at St Colman's College by the late Fr Malachy Finegan, who also tried to sexually groom him.

Finegan, a former teacher and president of the Newry school, has been accused of a catalogue of sexual and physical abuse against boys.

Mr Murphy said he was angry that no-one in authority stopped him, despite his sexual interest in young boys being common knowledge.

In a letter in today's Irish News, the family of Mr Quinn (21) - who was beaten to death after being lured to a barn in Co Monaghan in October 2007 - called on Mr Murphy to "get us justice for our son".

Although 20 arrests have been made, no-one has been convicted of the killing which is widely believed to have been carried out by the IRA.

Following the murder, Mr Murphy said he was satisfied the IRA was not involved and linked it to a feud among criminals.

In the letter, Mr Quinn's family referred to the "dreadful abuse" he suffered at the hands of Malachy Finegan and said "no child should have to go through such abuse by a man in power".

Stephen and Breege Quinn, pictured in 2007, have called on Conor Murphy to 'get justice for our son'. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire
Stephen and Breege Quinn, pictured in 2007, have called on Conor Murphy to 'get justice for our son'. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire Stephen and Breege Quinn, pictured in 2007, have called on Conor Murphy to 'get justice for our son'. Picture by Niall Carson/PA Wire

"Conor Murphy said he is angry that no-one in authority stopped Finegan's reign of abuse. We too are angry that no-one in the IRA stopped the murder of our Paul.

"We ask Conor Murphy to get us justice for our son."

A spokesman for Sinn Féin last night said it has "unreservedly condemned the murder of Paul Quinn and the manner in which he lost his life".

"The family of Paul Quinn deserve justice and Sinn Féin reiterates our consistent call for anyone with information on the murder of Paul Quinn to bring it forward to the PSNI or An Garda Síochána."

Fr Malachy Finegan has been accused of a catalogue of sexual and physical abuse against boys
Fr Malachy Finegan has been accused of a catalogue of sexual and physical abuse against boys Fr Malachy Finegan has been accused of a catalogue of sexual and physical abuse against boys