Northern Ireland

Mother of murdered Paul Quinn 'hopeful' following Garda commissioner meeting

Stephen and Breege Quinn hold an image of their murdered son Paul Quinn at their home near Cullyhanna Co. Armagh. Ms Quinn met Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on Thursday. Picture by Liam McBurney
Stephen and Breege Quinn hold an image of their murdered son Paul Quinn at their home near Cullyhanna Co. Armagh. Ms Quinn met Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on Thursday. Picture by Liam McBurney Stephen and Breege Quinn hold an image of their murdered son Paul Quinn at their home near Cullyhanna Co. Armagh. Ms Quinn met Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on Thursday. Picture by Liam McBurney

THE mother of murdered Co Armagh man Paul Quinn has been told of the "absolute commitment" of gardaí in investigating the death of her son, following a meeting with the Garda Commissioner.

Breege Quinn, whose son Paul was beaten to death in October 2007 at a barn close to Oram, Co Monaghan, described a "positive meeting" with Commissioner Drew Harris in Dublin yesterday.

Ms Quinn, who is campaigning for justice for her son alongside her husband Stephen, believes Paul was murdered by members of the Provisional IRA following a previous dispute with a Co Armagh member of the organisation. She said prior to her son's murder, he had been warned to leave Ireland due to the dispute.

The 21-year-old, from Cullyhanna, had every major bone in his body broken during the brutal attack when he was lured to the barn, and died later that day after being taken to hospital.

To date, no-one has been convicted in relation to the murder.

Last weekend, Ms Quinn said Garda told her they had "definite lines of inquiry" to explore, and that officers investigating the case were "redoubling their efforts".

Yesterday, she met Mr Harris to be updated on efforts to catch her son's killers.

"It was a very positive meeting," she said.

"He stated that progress had been made following the Serious Case Review and that significant recommendations are being followed up. I'm hopeful that some of those recommendations lead to a breakthrough."

She added: "I will continue to fight for justice for my son Paul."

In a statement released following the meeting, a Garda spokesperson said: "Commissioner Harris met Mrs Quinn today and re-confirmed An Garda Síochána's absolute commitment to the thorough investigation into the murder of her son, Mr Paul Quinn."