White van used in Lunney attack reportedly discovered

It is being reported that the van being searched for by An Garda Siochana in connection with the abduction and torture of local businessman Kevin Lunney has been discovered.

The development was first reported by RTE News. Gardaí have yet to confirm the discovery.

An Garda Siochana had launched a national appeal for any information in relation to a white 'hi-roof' transit type van.

The van itself was described by gardai as being in “poor repair” and that it also may have had a “loose 'screeching' fan belt”.

“This van has a distinctive painted red floor or partially red floor in the rear cargo area. An Garda Siochana would like to speak to any person who knows of a similar vehicle, it's current where abouts, or any person who knows who may have had access to that vehicle on the evening of Tuesday 17 September 2019."

Father of six Mr Lunney is continuing his recovery from injuries sustained after he was abducted from outside his home, taken across the border and tortured, before being dumped by the side of the road near Cornafean on the evening of September 17 last.

The appeal for information in relation to the van was part of a wide search for information in relation to the movements of vehicle, which also included black-coloured Audi saloon car in an area extending from Ballyconnell/ Belturbet to Cavan Town, Ballinagh and the townland of Drumbrade.

The abduction left Mr Lunney with what was described in the aftermath as “life-changing injuries”.

There have been around 70 incidents throughout a five-year campaign of violence and intimidation directed at the management running QIH.

Searches have been carried out in the locality for the white transit van, including by specialist dive teams attached to An Garda Siochana, at a bog site and at a quarry.