Northern Ireland

Attempt to set fire to vehicle outside home of relative of Quinn Industrial Holdings director

SAVAGE ATTACK; Kevin Lunney speaks to BBC’s Spotlight programme about his abduction and torture
SAVAGE ATTACK; Kevin Lunney speaks to BBC’s Spotlight programme about his abduction and torture SAVAGE ATTACK; Kevin Lunney speaks to BBC’s Spotlight programme about his abduction and torture

An attempt was made to set fire to a vehicle outside the home of a relative of a director of Quinn Industrial Holdings (QIH) in Co Fermanagh at the weekend.

In a statement, a spokesman for QIH said arsonists attempted to burn the vehicle at a location outside Derrylin in the early hours of Saturday, February 15.

The attempt was captured on CCTV and the PSNI is investigating.

Liam McCaffrey, chief executive of QIH, said: "Following the savage kidnap and torture of Kevin Lunney last September this resumption of violence and intimidation is deeply concerning and shows that the perpetrators will stop at nothing until those directing their activities are brought to justice.

"We are enormously relieved that this further attack, again outside a domestic home, was contained without loss of life or serious damage."

In September, QIH director Kevin Lunney (50) was abducted outside his home near Derrylin, Co Fermanagh, and taken to a horsebox across the border, where he was savagely beaten.

His attackers broke his leg, sliced his fingernails and face with a Stanley knife, carved QIH on his chest, and doused the father-of-six in bleach.

Four men were charged in 2019 with the abduction and false imprisonment of Mr Lunney.

Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew condemned the latest attack.

"I was horrified to learn of another attack on a family with connections to QIH at the weekend," she said.

"There has been an unacceptable criminal campaign of intimidation against management and staff at QIH over recent years.

“After last year's brutal attack on director Kevin Lunney, the local community had hoped that these senseless attacks had ceased.

“If those involved in these attacks do not stop someone will lose their life".

The MP added: "It is time for action by the police services on both sides of the border to end this outrageous campaign against people who are going about their business and greatly benefitting the community in this area".