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QIH director Kevin Lunney Spotlight/BBC Northern Ireland

Main suspect in Kevin Lunney kidnap case dies after taking ill during police raid

Gardaí investigating the case have now completed searches in Cavan, Longford and Dublin.

LAST UPDATE | 8 Nov 2019

A SUSPECT IN the investigation into the kidnapping of businessman Kevin Lunney has died after he took ill during a police raid in Derbyshire.

Cyril McGuinness took ill while Derbyshire Police were searching his home this morning as part of a major operation in the UK and Ireland.

McGuinness, also known by the nickname Dublin Jimmy, was a notorious criminal who operated mainly along the border region. While he ran seemingly legitimate businesses, gardaí and the PSNI had long believed he was behind a spate of ATM robberies across Ireland. 

Lunney’s abduction made headlines after he was discovered on a remote roadside after being dumped in Co Cavan.

He was taken from his car near his home in Derrylin, Co Fermanagh at around 6.40pm on 23 September. He was savagely assaulted and tortured before being left at the side of the road at Drumcoughill, Cornafean in Co Cavan sometime before 9pm the same night.

Criminals targeting Quinn Industrial Holdings (QIH) executives are believed to have been behind the attack.

No-one has been arrested in the case to date, with police on both sides of the border under mounting pressure to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Earlier today, gardaí, the PSNI and Derbyshire Constabulary searched a number of locations in Ireland, Northern Ireland and England in their investigations into the abduction. 

Gardaí searched five locations in Co Cavan, three locations in Co Longford and four locations in Dublin. The premises were a mixture of domestic dwellings and commercial/business premises. In a statement released this evening, gardaí confirmed that the searches have now concluded.

“These searches were a valuable step in the evidence gathering stage of this ongoing criminal investigation. An Garda Síochana is not providing any further information at this time,” a spokesperson said.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland were searching five locations in Northern Ireland and the Derbyshire Constabulary are searching a location in the United Kingdom.

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When asked at a press briefing this afternoon whether they can confirm that a suspect in the abduction has died, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said: “That is our understanding but that matter happened in a search in England, so that is being pursued by the authorities there.”

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton added: “The PSNI commissioned a searched in England and we were supported by police officers there and a report has been that a man has died, which is very regrettable, and that is now a matter of investigation in England.”

In a statement, the PSNI said it was searching a number of areas in Derrylin area of Fermanagh in relation to the “horrific abduction and attack” on Lunney.

The PSNI and gardaí today confirmed they have signed off on a joint investigation team, overseen by Eurojust, to allow authorities to share intelligence and evidence in the investigation. 

‘Heinous attacks’ 

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan welcomed the establishment of the first-ever joint investigation team involving An Garda Síochána.

“I am confident that gardaí and their partners in the PSNI will use the opportunities presented by this team to bring to justice those involved in these heinous attacks. I again urge any person with information on these matters to please contact An Garda Síochána or the PSNI,” he said.

“I am in ongoing contact with the Garda Commissioner who has assured me that An Garda Síochána, and their counterparts in Northern Ireland, will continue their relentless pursuit of the criminals involved in this case and, indeed, all those engaged in cross border criminality on this island.

The Irish government is absolutely determined to ensure that everything is done to guarantee community safety and the preservation and enhancement of the rule of law in our country.

In a statement, Quinn Industrial Holdings said the searches mark an important milestone in bringing those involved in attacks on its staff to justice. 

An Garda Síochána again appealed to anyone who has information, no matter how insignificant, 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 on 049 4368800, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 25 00 25 or any garda station.

With reporting by Press Association, Michelle Hennessy and Órla Ryan

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    Mute Jules Lucas
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    Mar 4th 2013, 12:48 PM

    The impact of this scandal has done wonders for the local village butcher, which we are better off buying our meat from anyway in my opinion!

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    Mute Christmas Carroll
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    Mar 4th 2013, 12:56 PM

    Completely agree! Never mind the fact that at least you know what you’re getting is the real deal, it’s much healthier and tastes a hell of a lot better… Makes the extra money spent worth it!

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    Mute Figo murphy
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    Mar 4th 2013, 1:01 PM

    I agree. My local butcher is flying. He just bought a new car, he got rid of that old horse he used to go around on.

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    Mute Christmas Carroll
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    Mar 4th 2013, 1:03 PM

    Dammit Figo :-P

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    Mute Dodge Challenger
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    Mar 4th 2013, 12:53 PM

    Will this horse meat issue ever go away? It’s not that much of a big deal. Not to ruin any appetites but could you imagine the amount of little insects and other creatures that get minced in with the meat supply that we never know about.

    54
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    Mute susanna smyth
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    Mar 4th 2013, 12:56 PM

    Burgers are tested for horse meat only. What other nasty could be in there disguised as beef ?

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    Mute Bo11ocks_to_this
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    Mar 4th 2013, 1:19 PM

    Did anyone else see the article from SA about water buffalo, horse and others found in beef. I’ll try find a link

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    Mute mcgoo
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    Mar 4th 2013, 1:15 PM

    A bit ironic that “Kanter” did the study eh?

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    Mute pat aherne
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    Mar 4th 2013, 1:21 PM

    When we were starting our then 18 month on meat (2years ago) my wife decided to get supermarket burgers just in case he did not like them – well to tell you the truth he pretty much threw the burger back at her. I said why not try butcher meat it will taste alot better and healthier for the child. She got a 1/4 pounder and he ate 2/3 of it. Hence even an 18 month old knew the taste of quality !!

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    Mute clareo79
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    Mar 4th 2013, 2:07 PM

    You gave an 18 month old a burger?!

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    Mute mister
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    Mar 4th 2013, 12:51 PM

    Interesting article. If I’m reading those stats correctly, does this indicate that ordinary local butchers have not experienced a bounce in trade? And if not, I wonder why?

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    Mute Hippocrateeth
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    Mar 4th 2013, 12:57 PM

    In other news, the number of horses commuting on the Dart has risen by over 800% in the past week. Community watch locals report a growing number of incidences involving horses some described as having ‘brazen attitudes’ and ‘brass balls’ towards concerned travellers waiting on the platforms for their respective trains. In a more striking example of the intimidation by the footloose horses, a 6-pack box of Silverdale frozen burgers was kicked at an elderly man’s head causing the man to curse loudly at the ebullient edible equine. The man was later taken for questioning. A file has been sent to the office of the DPP and a request for legal aid has been sought.

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    Mute Dave Kavanagh
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    Mar 4th 2013, 1:18 PM

    Great the media is loving this story and in doing so are systematically destroying one of Irelands core industries. Dont get me wrong I am totally for a free press but some of the sensationalism printed about this scandle (storm in a teacup) in relation to its connection with Ireland has been pure speculation and even when facts where established the Irish connection was still bigged up. Journal well done on being responsible and accurate if only other media would follow your example.

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    Mute Barry McSweeney
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    Mar 4th 2013, 3:22 PM

    If anyone is destroying one of Ireland’s core industries it is those who sold contaminated meat, the officials who refuse to admit that traceability “from farm to fork” is a lie, and the businessmen who refuse to speak publicly about what happened in their factories.
    Burying your head in the sand and “pulling on the green jersey” as you advocate will never work.

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    Mute АЛЕКСАНДРЪ ХАИШ
    Favourite АЛЕКСАНДРЪ ХАИШ
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    Mar 4th 2013, 5:47 PM

    Completely agree with you on this one, Dave!

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    Mute sid
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    Mar 4th 2013, 1:07 PM

    @ dodge

    I figure its a very big deal , nobody has any idea where what horses were used, could have used anything to bolster up the weight

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    Mute АЛЕКСАНДРЪ ХАИШ
    Favourite АЛЕКСАНДРЪ ХАИШ
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    Mar 4th 2013, 5:21 PM

    “FSAI” IS STILL WORKING ON CONTAMINATED MEAT PRODUCTS ???, WHILE THERE IS POISONOUS MILK AND DAIRY PRODUCTS RAPIDLY SPREAD ACROSS IRELAND! Disgrace!

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