Quinn boss hospitalised after abduction

 

A member of the senior management at Quinn Industrial Holdings’ (QIH) is being treated in hospital after he was abducted from his home in Derrylin yesterday evening (Tuesday), badly beaten, and abandoned at the side of the road south of the border.

Authorities both sides of the border are investigating the incident where senior director and father-of-six Kevin Lunney, aged in his 50's and from Fermanagh, was abducted from the Kinawley area at around 6.40pm yesterday evening (Tuesday 17 September).

Its understood he was “seriously assaulted” before being left at the side of the quiet country road at Drumcoughill, Cornafean, where he was discovered by shocked local residents shortly before 9pm.

Its understood the man suffered serious injured to both his face and his leg.

Two cars, one of which belonged to Mr Lunney, and another unknown vehicle were set alight a short distance away from the businessman's home.

The road at Drumcoughill in Cavan meanwhile is currently closed while gardai continue a forensic investigation of the area.

Its understood that Mr Lunney was abducted as he was returning to his family home from his workplace at the company's headquarters located between Derrylin and Ballyconnell.

 

Vicious Assault

Quinn Industrial Holdings’ (QIH) this morning confirmed that Mr Lunney, who acts as QIH's Chief Operating Officer, has been hospitalised following the abduction and a vicious assault.

The spokesperson stated: “Mr Lunney was found badly beaten across the border in Cornafean, Co Cavan after he was dumped at the side of a road by his attackers. Mr Lunney sustained a broken leg and range of other very severe, but non life threatening injuries for which he is being treated in a nearby hospital.”

Commenting, Adrian Barden, Chairman, QIH described the abduction and assault as an “outrageous attack” on a “hard working father of six” but also on his 830 colleagues at QIH and the wider community in the Cavan-Fermanagh region. “For several hours last evening Kevin’s wife, family and very many friends were left to contemplate the worst. Like many of his colleagues I am frustrated and angry that more has not been done to protect Kevin who will require some considerable time to recover from the very severe injuries sustained in this brutal attack.

 

Outragous

Mr Barden stated to that QIH had “previously warned” of the inevitability of serious injury and potential loss of life arising from these “sustained and increasingly serious criminal attacks”.

He added: “We find it inexplicable that not a single arrest has been made north or south despite dozens of incidents. We are now calling for the police authorities north and south to act quickly and decisively to prevent an inevitable loss of life by bringing those responsible to justice.”

Prior intimidation against senior Quinn management, including Mr Lunney directly himself, includes physical assaults, as well as several arson attacks at or near the homes or businesses of senior QIH staff.

“Given the ongoing criminal investigation neither QIH nor Mr Lunney have any further comment,” the spokesperson concluded.

 

 

Investigation ongoing
Detective Inspector Trevor Stevenson of the PSNI said the incident was “horrific” and that they authorities in the north are liaising with their colleagues at An Garda Síochána on the matter.

While the inquiries are at a “very early stage” at this time, the PSNI and An Garda Siochana are appealling for anyone who may have witnessed the movements of a black saloon Audi being driven in the Derrylin, Fermanagh / Swanlinbar, Cavan areas.
“Anyone with any information that may assist us with our inquiries should contact us on 101, quoting reference number 1748 of 17/09/19.
“Alternatively if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.”

A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana stated: “Gardaí and the PSNI are cooperating into the investigation of an incident that occurred in Fermanagh yesterday evening, Tuesday 17th of September. A male is receiving medical treatment at a hospital in the Republic of Ireland.”

 

QIH STATEMENT IN FULL

Quinn Industrial Holdings’ (QIH) confirms that Mr Kevin Lunney, Director and Chief Operating Officer, QIH has been hospitalised following his abduction and a vicious assault that occurred last evening.  The PSNI are investigating the incident which occurred as Mr Lunney was returning to his family home in Kinawley, Co Fermanagh from his workplace in nearby Derrylin.

Mr Lunney’s and an unknown car were found ablaze in a road near his family home shortly before 7.00pm last evening. Some hours later Mr Lunney was found badly beaten across the border in Cornafean, Co Cavan after he was dumped at the side of a road by his attackers.  Mr Lunney sustained a broken leg and range of other very severe, but non life threatening injuries for which he is being treated in a nearby hospital.

Commenting, Mr Adrian Barden, Chairman, QIH said: “Kevin Lunney’s abduction and assault is an outrageous attack on a hard working father of six children but also on his 830 colleagues at QIH and the wider community in the Cavan-Fermanagh region.  For several hours last evening Kevin’s wife, family and very many friends were left to contemplate the worst.  Like many of his colleagues I am frustrated and angry that more has not been done to protect Kevin who will require some considerable time to recover from the very severe injuries sustained in this brutal attack 

“We have previously warned of the inevitability of serious injury and loss of life arising from these sustained and increasingly serious criminal attacks. We find it inexplicable that not a single arrest has been made north or south despite dozens of incidents.  We are now calling for the police authorities north and south to act quickly and decisively to prevent an inevitable loss of life by bringing those responsible to justice.”

Prior intimidation includes physical assaults and arson attacks at or near the homes or businesses of senior QIH staff.

Given the ongoing criminal investigation neither QIH nor Mr Lunney have any further comment.

 

PSNI STATEMENT

Police are investigating a serious assault on a 50-year-old man in Fermanagh last night and are appealing for information.
Detective Inspector Trevor Stevenson said: “We understand that the man was abducted from his home in Derrylin at around 6.40pm yesterday evening (Tuesday 17 September), and was seriously assaulted before being left at the side of the road at Drumcoughill, Cornafean, County Cavan.  He was discovered by local residents just before 9pm and was brought to hospital with serious injuries to his face and leg.
“This was a horrific attack and we are liaising with our colleagues at An Garda Síochána.
“Our inquiries are at a very early stage and at this time, I am appealing for anyone who may have witnessed a black saloon Audi being driven in the Derrylin, Fermanagh / Swanlinbar, Cavan areas to contact us or our Gardaí colleagues.”
Anyone with any information that may assist us with our inquiries should contact us on 101, quoting reference number 1748 of 17/09/19.
Alternatively if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.