Politics

Sinn Féin have put me through hell, says murdered Paul Quinn's mother

The mother and father of Paul Quinn, Breege and Stephen Quinn, pictured at Stormont today. Picture by Hugh Russell 
The mother and father of Paul Quinn, Breege and Stephen Quinn, pictured at Stormont today. Picture by Hugh Russell  The mother and father of Paul Quinn, Breege and Stephen Quinn, pictured at Stormont today. Picture by Hugh Russell 

A woman who blamed the IRA for beating her son to death has claimed Sinn Féin has put her through hell.

Breege Quinn's son Paul was attacked in Co Monaghan in 2007.

After the murder, Sinn Féin powersharing minister Conor Murphy said Mr Quinn was a criminal. He has withdrawn the remarks and apologised to the family.

Ms Quinn said: "He has ... put our family through hell."

She and her husband Stephen visited Stormont today to meet politicians including the SDLP and UUP.

She added: "Conor Murphy does not have a mandate to criminalise people he is supposed to represent.

"He does not have a mandate to call our son a criminal.

"We are once again calling on him today to say the simple words that Paul Quinn was not a criminal."

Mr Murphy said he spoke to the IRA in south Armagh about the killing.

Ms Quinn asserted: "He must also go to the PSNI and the gardai to give the names of the IRA men he spoke to in Cullyhanna.

"He must stop providing political cover for murderers."

The killing became one of the talking points in the Republic's election as Mr Quinn's mother called for the former Newry and Armagh MP to be removed from his post as a minister over the comments.

Breege Quinn reads a statement to the media today at Stormont accompanied by her husband Stephen (left) and SDLP MLA Justin McNulty. Picture by Hugh Russell 
Breege Quinn reads a statement to the media today at Stormont accompanied by her husband Stephen (left) and SDLP MLA Justin McNulty. Picture by Hugh Russell  Breege Quinn reads a statement to the media today at Stormont accompanied by her husband Stephen (left) and SDLP MLA Justin McNulty. Picture by Hugh Russell 

Sinn Féin faced criticism from its political rivals over its response to the killing.

Mr Murphy apologised for the remarks while Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald spoke to Mrs Quinn in a telephone call.

Today, Ms Quinn said: "It must not be okay for any elected representative to call anyone a criminal and be rewarded with ministerial office time and time again.

Paul Quinn was murdered in 2007
Paul Quinn was murdered in 2007 Paul Quinn was murdered in 2007

"It should not be okay for a minister to seek assurance about a crime from a paramilitary group that has supposedly gone away."

She added: "I hope Conor Murphy is listening so that we can move attention back to the men who killed our son Paul and who are walking freely around Cullyhanna and Crossmaglen while our son is buried in the ground."

Sinn Féin leader Ms McDonald said the investigation by the PSNI and gardaí into the murder of Mr Quinn is ongoing and there is no suggestion Mr Murphy has not disclosed information on his murder.

"The PSNI and the gardaí are perfectly capable of seeking out and speaking to any individual that they need to speak to. They don't need my prompting or anyone else's.

"Conor has made it plain that he did speak with the police and authorities at the time of this awful murder and I think it's important to say this. There is no suggestion of an involvement by Conor covering up for anything."

She added: "I have already spoken to Breege and I hope to meet with her. I would like her and Conor Murphy to sit down and talk. We are not going to resolve this over the airwaves.

"I wish her peace of mind and justice because those who carried out this brutal murder are still at large. For the purposes of justice and law and order - the priority is that these people are apprehended and brought to justice. I know that Breege has made her statement and our next move has to be to sit down and discuss these matters."

Sinn Féin's deputy first minister at the assembly, Michelle O'Neill, said Mr Murphy's apology had been "heartfelt and sincere".

She said: "We are talking about a mother who has been hurt.

"The best place and the best way for this to be dealt with is on a one-to-one basis and Conor Murphy is very happy to meet with Breege Quinn."