Lunney kidnap investigation 'continuing' after man's release

 

A man in his 30s arrested in relation to the abduction and assault of Quinn Industrial Holdings (QIH) director Kevin Lunney, has been released without charge.

It means that all four people arrested in a cross-border operation last Thurday, March 5, have been released.

All of those arrested are understood to be members of the same family, with links to both Cavan and Fermanagh.

However, a spokesperson for An Garda Siochana said in respect of the man arrested in the Cavan area, and who was subsequently detained for questioning at Cavan Garda Station, that a file will now be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

They further stated that investigations are “continuing”.

PSNI and Gardaí investigating what they described as the “horrific” abduction and attack on Mr Lunney on September 17 last year arrested the four individuals yesterday, Thursday, 5 March.

The action was carried out by members attached to the Joint Investigation Team, which was established in November 2019, with the two police services working together to progress the investigation in the attack and abduction of father-of-six Mr Lunney.

However, on Friday, March 6, the PSNI released the two men, aged 23 and 61, and a 61-year-old woman.

The three people had been held for questioning at Omagh police station on suspicion of conspiracy to kidnap; conspiracy to cause Grievous Bodily Harm with Intent and assisting offenders.

The fourth arrestee, the man aged in his 30's and lifted by officers in the Cavan area, had remained in custody since last Thursday.

He had been arrested in relation to the abduction and assault for an offence contrary to section 72 Criminal Justice Act 2006, and detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007.

An arrest under Section 50 allows for Gardai to hold a person in detention for a total of seven days (168 hours), with an initial period of six hours.

The first extension, up to 18 hours, had been authorised by a Superintendent, with the second extension period authorised at Chief Superintendent, up until the man's release in the early hours of Saturday morning, March 7.

Separately, four other persons are currently before the courts in Ireland charged in connection with the assault and false imprisonment of Mr Lunney.

 

'Further significant step'

Chief Superintendent John O Reilly, Cavan/ Monaghan Garda Division said the recent arrests demonstrated An Garda Síochána’s “ongoing commitment” to work closely with the PSNI on this investigation, and said is was a “further significant step to ensuring that the perpetrators of this vicious attack will be brought to justice.”

Detective Chief Inspector Julie Mullan from PSNI’s Criminal Investigation Branch added: “The arrests today show the close working partnership between the PSNI and An Garda Síochána and our determination to bring those responsible for this heinous crime before the courts.”

 

Appeal

Policing authorities on both sides of the border are continuing to appeal to anyone that has any information, “no matter how insignificant it appears” that would assist the investigation into this abduction and attack to contact An Garda Síochána at Cavan Garda Station on 049 4368800, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111, Crimestoppers on 1800 25 00 25 or any Garda Station.

Police at Enniskillen can be contacted on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 1748 17/09/19 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.