Ahern says Quinn not a criminal

The only people who were criminals in the murder in Monaghan of Paul Quinn were those who killed him, according to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

Mr Ahern told the Dáil that when he dealt previously with a Dáil question about Mr Quinn's murder, "I shared certain information about the lines of inquiry being pursued and in speaking about criminality I was responding to questions asked on whether the murder had a political motivation or implications for the Northern Ireland Executive. I did not in any way intend to make an issue out of the character of Paul Quinn and I am happy to make that clear to the House."

The Taoiseach was responding to Labour leader Eamon Gilmore, who had called on Mr Ahern to withdraw comments which Mr Gilmore said had caused considerable hurt to the Quinn family.

Mr Gilmore said Mr Ahern "stated that the murder appeared to be linked to local criminal activity and was not paramilitary but pertained to feuds about criminality". Mr Ahern said he fully supported everything Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern had said when he met Mr Quinn's family. "I am glad to state what the Minister told the family yesterday, that we have no evidence whatsoever that Paul Quinn was involved in criminal activity." Mr Ahern reiterated that "the only people in this case who are criminals are the ones who murdered Paul".

The murdered man's family will today meet Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan and the Taoiseach said that he too had "agreed to meet Mr and Mrs Quinn if that would be helpful". He also said that "no information is available to me from the Garda Commissioner to suggest this attack was authorised or sanctioned by the IRA, a question I am continually asked outside the House".

Mr Ahern said he was aware "that questions have been raised about the involvement of local people with IRA associates and IRA associations. It is a matter for the police investigation to follow that through and hopefully the killers will be brought to justice as soon as possible." Mr Ahern also condemned what he called the "mischievous targeted activities against Orange halls that have been going on for some months".

He said "many of these Orange halls are historic, ancient buildings that are used for community purposes. The hall on this side of the Border has been there for over 100 years." He said the Minister for Foreign Affairs had raised the issue "and was strongly supported by the Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, and Ian Paisley Jnr, MLA. A group is currently targeting halls and we must work with the Garda Síochána and the PSNI to see what can be done."