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THE CEO OF Quinn Industrial Holdings (QIH) has said that the fresh threats made against him and other directors comes from criminals who want to “take control this area and control everybody”.
Liam McCaffrey was speaking after being informed by the PSNI on Monday that a letter to the Irish News made threats against him and his colleagues.
The letter warned the directors that this was their “final warning” and that “we could have killed Kevin very easily”.
QIH director Kevin Lunney was abducted from his car near his home in Derrylin, Co Fermanagh at around 6.40pm on 23 September.
He was savagely assaulted at a second location before being left at the side of the road at Drumcoughill, Cornafean, Co Cavan sometime before 9pm the same night.
Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland today, McCaffrey said Lunney is recovering but is still in significant pain.
He said the PSNI and gardaí are actively monitoring the homes of directors on both sides of the border and a clearly taking the threats seriously.
“The amount of support that we’ve had has been very heartening since since the attack on Kevin, both from staff, customers and from the community in general. So clearly, the community are right behind the directors QIH on this,” he said.
It’s difficult to deal with a small group of criminals who are organised by a paymaster, it’s a simple matter of criminality. It needs to be dealt with. It’s not a community issue. per se, and I think we just have to trust in the garda investigation on the PSNI investigation that’s ongoing to deal with what’s going on here.
“It’s really saying to the rule of law, you can’t operate here, we seek to control this area and control everybody in it and that simply cannot be allowed to succeed because the message that that gives out in a broader sense is just horrendous for any civilised democracy to operate in that fashion.”
McCaffrey said that many people have come forward over the past couple of weeks and that this is hopefully a positive for the investigation.
Asked about Sean Quinn’s condemnation of the threats and attacks, McCaffrey said:
“Any condemnation is welcome. I’m on record as saying I was disappointed that while Sean condemned what has happened and condemned the activities he also saw fit to once again launch attacks against myself and Kevin. Particularly Kevin was just recovering from the assault, I thought it was an ill -advised comment on his part.”
McCaffrey added that he and the other directors wanted the see-through their job at QIH but that the intimidation must end.
“We have stuck with the task we have run the company in a professional manner, increased the employee numbers by 200. And yes, certainly it’s our intention to see this through and work forward in that fashion. Equally, we will want to see the security forces PSNI and Garda and bring this to a conclusion and deal with the paymaster who’s paying for these activities and orchestrating this ongoing campaign of intimation.”
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Now if Alan Hughes could go too then that would be great! Does nothing for the show.
@Seán Ó hAodha: agreed
@Seán Ó hAodha: Agreed. Sits there laughing at nothing.
@Seán Ó hAodha: u know the “saying that makes me sick”, well i actually dry wreched watchin his old show talkabout.
@Seán Ó hAodha: isnt he a weather presenter?
@Dave Barrett: whether he is a presenter or not is the real question!!!
@Seán Ó hAodha: Alan Hughes… worst then trush
@Seán Ó hAodha: Hughes is horrendous. How hes kept on is beyond me
The best presenter who was on Ireland AM was Aiden Cooney, a great news reader and presenter with a good sense of humour as well.
@Marty from Sligo: seriously???
@Marty from Sligo: I have to disagree
@Marty from Sligo: you must be joking was hopeless read the results wrong on many occasions and came across as winging it
@Marty from Sligo: he was like a fat mushroom sitting there with nothing interesting to say whatsoever
@Marty from Sligo: I’d say he’d be good for a late night sports show with Trevor Welch.
No loss found him to be unwilling to listen and a fixed point of view. Totally anti public sector and his view was the only view an interview would go when a balance would be needed .
Still won’t be watching anyway.
@Mark Mccormack:
Let me guess, you’re a teacher?
@Mark Mccormack: give his job to Simon Delaney.
Enjoy his wit and delivery
Underrated
He was very opinionated and had no time for anyone else’s views. Thank God he’s gone as he thought himself above everyone who didn’t agree with himself.
That will be the end of any half intelligent conversations on the show. Alan Hughes is great for a laugh but as for the rest of them, less said the better. Think I’ll have to switch back to radio
@Dan2078: have to agree, what’s left hasn’t got a full brain cell between them
Oh I missed it. Will they repeat it? Of course they will as that’s all virgin media do
He was a govt mouth piece who rarely gave anytime to guests who did,nt agree with govt policy. Showed his true colours when the water protests were at there height. Like rte never a balanced view on the major issues of the day. Will not be missed.
Good.. a new line up is needed for that chat show really…
Went to school with Mark. Enjoyed ‘Night Train’ on 2FM. Then his mid morning show on TodayFM followed by Ireland AM. Will be a change in the morning routine. Wishing Mark all the best in the future.
Wonder who’s next to get axed off that show!
@Sean Leonard: hopefully Karen . Leave Alan and all the chefs; at least that’ll give us a laugh
@Dan2078: yea it hilarious alright…..Alan hand me over that big sausage …… hahahahahaha did you here him looking for the big sausage hahahahahaha
@Dan2078: Karen has great legs
He was at his best on the radio years ago.
Alan Hughes – The exaggerated laugh of the Guy does me head in
@Angry_Man41:
Going by your name, I’d guess anyone laughing/having fun, isn’t your thing.
Top man n decent bloke…..crappy show but not his fault.
@Brian Murphy: yes professional presenter… Show is droning in to torture level… It’s so repetitive the only that changes is the news!
@Sean Leonard:
“It’s so repetitive”, so you keep watching? Which other morning tv show do you think is better to have on while one is going about one’s business of getting ready for the day ahead?
Did Cooney turn up for his farewell??
@Dan2078: probably too busy with his other 10 jobs – bore
Not a mention of Sinead who he anchored with for years!! Bad former me thinks. All the best Mark.
@Gina Clifford: he did mention her in his leaving speech at the end of the show.
I never looked at an episode…. I’ll live longer for it….
I’ll miss his dainty socks and his crossed leg posture
Mark was the brains of the show. Even then, the only part I could watch was the weather forecast and newspaper front page review. And only then with the sound muted.
Anton Savage to replace Cagney
@Breda Claffey: Simon Delaney
Great news!!! Alan next please. His attitude is horrible.
Ciara genuinely care about guests and gives honest opinion. Go lady!!
Who?
@Patrick Daly: Doctor Who
Dose
You will be miss Mark
Enjoyed him the odd time I watched. I think VM will transition this program to have a better vibe, now it still searches for audience. A bit of hard news reporting would suit me, I don’t “watch” radio.
@John Flood:
Do people really want “hard news” in the morning? I don’t think they do. “Light news” and a bit of a laugh is a much nicer way to start the day.
Weak for himself !GoodLuck Good Riddance
I
The worst show I’ve ever briefly tipped in and , mostly, out of! Why can’t it be called a very average cookery show for narcissistic, sycophants and be done with it!
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