Other unionists are also pointing the finger of blame at republicans for the murder of 21-year-old south Armagh man Paul Quinn.
Sinn Fein minister Conor Murphy yesterday denied the IRA was involved and condemned the killing, calling on anyone with information to go to the police.


The lorry driver from Cullyhanna was apparently lured across the border to Co Monaghan on Saturday, where he was set upon by a gang of 12 to 15 masked men and beaten with iron bars.

INJURIES
He was found with serious injuries at a farmhouse near Castleblayney just after 6pm and taken to hospital in Drogheda, but died of his injuries a short time later.



Mr Quinn's family last night claimed he had become involved in an altercation with members of the IRA and that he had been ordered to leave the country.
"We believe that he was abducted by the Provisional movement and beaten to death," they said.


The family said they believe Mr Quinn was killed because he would not leave the country as allegedly ordered to do so.
"Our son courageously and correctly refused to leave," they told the BBC.


The DUP last night wouldn't speculate on any possible political fallout, but condemned the murder.


A spokesman said: "This was a brutal and tragic attack.
"Anyone possessing the slightest information about who may have been involved should notify the police immediately.

SICKENING
"Those responsible for such a sickening murder must be brought to justice without delay."
MEP Jim Allister said if the IRA was behind the murder, it had serious political ramifications.


He said: "The suggestion that the IRA killed Paul Quinn requires absolute clarity from the PSNI and the Garda, with no phoney distinctions being made between "organisational acts" and actions by individual IRA members.


"If a gang of 15 IRA men beat a man to death, then it is an IRA murder. No ifs and no buts.
"Thus the police, without fear of political consequences, must objectively state their assessment.


"Likewise, the politicians, particularly the DUP, must face up to any consequences if it is found that the inextricable partner of their partner in government, Sinn Fein, murdered this young man."
UUP Newry and Armagh MLA Danny Kennedy said it the authorities must find out who was behind the killing.



"There are a large number of individuals alleged to be involved in this incident - around 12 to 15 people.
"I condemn the murder in the strongest possible sense and I understand that the Garda and PSNI are co-operating on this investigation which is important."

CASE
The UUP deputy leader said: "This seems to be a case of murder by mob rule and we must seek clarity to the individuals or the group who are responsible. Anyone with information, along with public representatives have a duty to come forward if they have any information."
SDLP MLA Dominic Bradley said the victim was lured to the scene of the attack.


He said: "Two young men who knew Paul were tied up at the farm and forced to telephone him with a message to come to the farm.
"When Paul and a friend arrived there he was taken to an outhouse and beaten savagely with iron bars on the limbs and head.
"Paul died later in hospital in Drogheda.



"This brutal murder was a planned, co-ordinated, and organised operation which involved up to 15 masked men.
"There is utter revulsion in the local community at this act and we need to have a thorough investigation into it in both jurisdictions with an Garda Síochána and the PSNI working closely together to apprehend those responsible for this terrible deed and bring them to justice."

ALLEGATIONS
Mr Murphy, who is also an MLA for the area, denied the IRA was involved.
"There are wild and baseless allegations being made", he said.
"However I do not believe that there is any republican involvement in this murder.


"Whatever circumstances are behind the attack there can be no justification for this type of violence.
"Anyone with information that can assist the family should come forward to the gardai or PSNI immediately."


Two men were treated at the Daisy Hill hospital in Newry for injuries believed to have been sustained in the same incident.
It is understood the men were discharged from hospital before anyone could interview them and that police on both sides of the border are seeking to contact them.

Gardai said a post mortem will be carried out today.



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