However Stormont minister and MP for the area Conor Murphy of Sinn Fein dismissed the matter and branded Mr Frazer as "a well-known fantasist".

The incident comes only 13 months after 21-year-old Paul Quinn from Jonesborough was lured to a scene only a few miles from yesterday's alleged events and beaten so badly that he died soon after.

Mr Quinn's family and supporters blamed the IRA but Mr Murphy said the IRA had assured him they were not involved.

Mr Frazer and a cameraman were travelling into Crossmaglen yesterday around noon from Castleblaney when they reported that a dark Volkswagen Passat blocked the road in front of them.

Mr Frazer said the driver shouted out to him "Are yous lost?" To which Mr Frazer replied they weren't and that they were going on. "You are going nowhere," was the response.

With that, a white van appeared from another side road and rammed the side of Mr Frazer's car.

They reversed back but several other cars blocked the way behind, and soon there were up to 20 men around the car.

The attackers soon had the doors open and were trying to drag Mr Frazer out of the car, but he was fighting to stay inside.

"I could see the white van with both of the back doors open," said Mr Frazer and they were shouting 'get him out'. I have no doubt they intended to kidnap me."

The cameraman, who declined to be named, said he calmed his attackers down by insisting he was "just a cameraman".

However his broadcast quality camera was taken, and when he protested he was simply ignored.

Meanwhile, Mr Frazer said they punched and kicked him viciously and when they couldn't get him fully out of the car, they repeatedly slammed the door on his leg.

As a desperate last resort Mr Frazer reached into his coat and shouted: "Get back or I'll shoot."

"With that they all scattered like rats," he said. "Within 20 seconds there was not a sign of any of them on the road.

"The police were there 60 seconds after we phoned them," he said.

Police and Customs officers were in the area carrying out raids on illegal fuel plants and he thinks his attackers presumed he was involved.

"People say to me 'what does campaigning against fuel fraud have to do with victims?'

"But the republicans that rule this area with an iron fist and have made so many victims down through the years to build their power and influence through millions made in fuel smuggling," he said.

DUP Newry and Armagh MLA William Irwin said it was "saddening" that there are those within the community who are "still prepared to engage in such criminal acts".

Calling for anyone with information to bring it to the police, he added: "They almost think they are above the law."

A spokesman for Mr Murphy's office said they knew nothing of the events.

"If Willie Frazer feels a crime has been committed then he should report it to the PSNI," he said.