IMC Should Comment on Paul Quinn Murder

9.25.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 23rd Oct 2007

Alliance Justice spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA

Alliance Party Justice Spokesperson, Stephen Farry, has condemned the brutal murder of Paul Quinn and stressed that the well-established procedures of the Independent Monitoring Commission for dealing with threats to political stability should be allowed to take their course.

Stephen Farry said: "The murder of Paul Quinn was a most brutal act that will cause revulsion for all right-thinking people.

"The allegations of the involvement of elements of the Provisional IRA are a great cause for concern. There is no place in a democratic society for the tolerance of any organisation that would either carry out such an act or which would cover up the involvement in members.

"However, it is important that parties do not rush to judgement based on rumour and innuendo. There are now well established mechanisms for dealing with paramilitary activity and threats to the confidence of the political institutions through the Independent Monitoring Commission.

"It was always envisaged that the IMC would work in parallel with the institutions in order to help address alleged paramilitary activity and breaches in confidence.

"The established and agreed processes should be allowed to take their course without prejudice."

ENDS