FATHER Brian D'Arcy has said he would be "horrified" if businessman Sean Quinn had any link to the abduction and torture of Quinn Industrial Holdings (QIH) director Kevin Lunney.
The well-known priest, who is a friend of Mr Quinn and is also involved in community groups with Mr Lunney, said the abduction in September was a "terrible, terrible thing to happen".
"Sean Quinn says it wasn't him – I would be horrified if it was – absolutely horrified if it was," Fr D'Arcy told the Irish Independent.
"He and his family have quite plainly said that it wasn't. This has been running for quite some time and there is a criminal investigation now – and I think the less that amateurs like myself say about it the better.
"All I do is I try when I am asked, to pour oil on troubled waters when I can."
Fr D'Arcy was among those who in 2014 took to the streets of Ballyconnell, Co Cavan, in solidarity with the embattled Quinn family.
He said the situation involving QIH is "very difficult" and he has huge sympathy for Fermanagh businessman Mr Lunney.
Four men have been charged with assault causing harm and false imprisonment.
"I am on several boards with Kevin Lunney – the Fermanagh Trust, I am still on that with Kevin Lunney," he added.
"I know Kevin very well and he is a very good fellow and what happened to him was just incredibly awful – terrible, terrible thing to happen."
Fr D'Arcy also stressed that jobs in the area should not be lost.
Repeated attacks on QIH have been carried out in recent years by people who have sought the return of Mr Quinn to the business.
Mr Quinn, who lost control of his business empire amid Ireland's economic crash, has repeatedly condemned the attacks and insisted he and his family have no involvement with them.
