Northern Ireland

Cross-border condemnation of death threat against QIH directors

Quinn Industrial Holdings in Derrylin, Co Fermanagh. Picture by Mal McCann
Quinn Industrial Holdings in Derrylin, Co Fermanagh. Picture by Mal McCann Quinn Industrial Holdings in Derrylin, Co Fermanagh. Picture by Mal McCann

THE fresh death threat against directors of Quinn Industrial Holdings has been condemned as "disgusting and unacceptable".

Politicians on both sides of the border condemned the statement received by The Irish News, which also threatened council staff or contractors who remove posters erected as part of a campaign of intimidation against the company.

The Republic's justice minister Charlie Flanagan described the threat as a "chilling and sinister development".

He urged anyone with information to contact gardaí and said those who come forward would have the protection of the state.

Read More: Roots to fallout which saw Sean Quinn leave role at Quinn Industrial Holdings

Sinn Féin's Michelle Gildernew, MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, also said anyone with information should bring it to the authorities.

"The threats against workers and the directors of Quinn Industrial Holdings are completely disgusting and unacceptable and these cowardly threats should be removed immediately," she said.

"Workers should be free to live and work free from harassment and intimidation.

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"Those behind these threats and intimidation need to desist. There is no support for their actions."

SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly, a member of the Policing Board, said: "This is an outrageous threat against the directors of Quinn Holdings and the staff of local councils simply doing their jobs.

"Those responsible are criminal thugs, they need to be caught and I would appeal to anyone with information to come forward to the PSNI."

Ms Kelly also said she has tabled questions at the Policing Board to request an update on the investigation following the attack last month Kevin Lunney, and has asked if National Crime Agency resources have been provided.

Fianna Fáil TD Jim O'Callaghan, the party's justice spokesperson, also condemned the latest death threat.

"This campaign of violence and threats against the directors of Quinn Industrial Holdings should not be tolerated, and anyone associated with these threats must feel the full force of the law," he said.

"The attack on businessman Kevin Lunney last month was a vicious and cowardly attack on a man who was returning home from work. Nobody should be made to live in fear like this."

He said it was important for gardaí and the PSNI to work together to bring those behind the threats into custody.

"These attacks and threats must not and should not be tolerated, and I strongly urge anyone who may be protecting these thugs to come forward with information," he added.

Tony Lunney recalls the night his brother Kevin was abducted