Gardaí, PSNI and Derbyshire Constabulary swoop as part of Lunny investigation

Gardaí, the Police Service of Northern Ireland and Derbyshire Constabulary are undertaking a number of search operations this morning (Friday November 8) in connection with the investigation of the abduction of Kevin Lunney on September 17, 2019 .

Members of An Garda Síochána are searching five locations in County Cavan, three locations in County Longford and four locations in Dublin. The premises are a mixture of domestic dwellings and commercial or business premises.

Over 100 members of An Garda Siochana are assisting the investigation team at Cavan Garda Station including colleagues from the wider Cavan/Monaghan Garda Division, Regional Support Units, National Support Service (NSS) Dog Units, National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI), Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (DOCB) and National Public Order Unit.

A statement from An Garda Siochana said: “Our colleagues in the Police Service of Northern Ireland are searching five locations in Northern Ireland and our colleagues in Derbyshire Constabulary are searching one location in United Kingdom.

These searches are part of the evidence gathering stage to progress the investigations by AGS/PSNI into the abduction/false imprisonment/assault of Kevin Lunney on the 17th September, 2019.”

A statement from the PSNI confirmed their involvement in this morning's searches: “Detectives from the PSNI’s Criminal Investigation Branch investigating the horrific abduction and attack on Mr Kevin Lunney in Fermanagh in September are this morning conducting a number of searches in the Derrylin area of Fermanagh. They are part of a coordinated search operation with our colleagues in An Garda Síochána and Derbyshire Constabulary.”

Detective Chief Inspector Julie Mullan said: “The investigation is continuing at pace and today‘s significant operation involves searching four residential properties and one commercial premises in the Derrylin area.

Detective Chief Inspector Mullan continued: “This was a truly horrific crime and we continue to work closely with our colleagues in An Garda Síochána and now also Derbyshire Constabulary.to try and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

The Gardaí say the ongoing searches are part of a larger criminal investigation: “An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to any person who has any information, no matter how insignificant it appears, on this vicious criminal attack or any other criminal activities which have taken place in the Cavan/Fermanagh border area over recent years to contact An Garda Síochána at Cavan Garda Station 049 4368800, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 25 00 25 or any Garda Station.”