This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7251897.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
Assembly backs IRA murder motion | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
An SDLP motion linking the killing of Paul Quinn to current or former IRA members or their associates has been passed by assembly members. | |
Assembly members voted to condemn the murder of the 21-year-old south Armagh man in the Irish Republic last October. | |
However, Conor Murphy of Sinn Fein said he stood by his assessment that the IRA was not involved in the murder. | |
The Newry and Armagh MP accused the SDLP of "playing politics" with the Quinn case. | |
The motion was proposed by the SDLP's Dominic Bradley, who called on Sinn Fein to withdraw claims Mr Quinn was involved in criminal activity. | |
"I think it is shameful that Mr Murphy has not withdrawn the criminalising remarks he made about Paul Quinn after his death," said the Newry and Armagh assembly member. | |
"In the past members of Sinn Fein have complained about being demonised, but yet here we have a member of Sinn Fein using the same tactic against someone who is no longer with us to defend himself." | |
Stephen Quinn attended a debate into his son's murderMr Murphy said Mr Bradley's remarks were not helpful in the search for the killers. | |
"I would call on people to reflect on much of the politicking which has gone on around this issue in recent weeks and not let it deflect from the real task, which is finding the killers of Paul Quinn. | |
"Sinn Fein have not and will not seek to play politics with this issue - such public bickering does not help advance the search for justice." | |
Mr Quinn's parents travelled to Stormont to attend the debate. | |
His father, Stephen Quinn, said beforehand that he was hopeful the killers would be caught. | |
"I think the Gardai and the PSNI are doing their best and I think it is going to come out who they were and all about it," he said. | |
Paul Quinn, from Cullyhanna, died after being attacked near Castleblayney in County Monaghan in October 2007. |