The Murder of Paul Quinn

Speech by David Ford delivered to Assembly, 19 February 2008 on Tue 19th Feb 2008

I express my sympathy to the family and friends of Paul Quinn. It is deeply regrettable that we have to have a debate on a topic such as this. An interesting reference has been made by Sinn Féin Members, and not by other Members, about the attacks on houses, property and cars - and perhaps people - in the wake of the murder of Paul Quinn. It is right that any such attacks be condemned. Sinn Féin Members have every right to highlight those attacks and to expect that other Members would want the full rule of law to be observed. Without any reservation, I condemn any such attack, but the principal reason for this debate is not because of graffiti being painted on houses, but because a young man was murdered in a most brutal, cowardly and callous fashion.

After his murder, he was subject to character assassination by Sinn Féin representatives, not just in the Newry and Armagh area, but in the wider area. The three leading Members of Sinn Féin who have spoken so far - Mr Murphy the local MP and Minister, Mr McLaughlin and Mr O'Dowd - all expressed their sympathy, but none of them managed to find it in his heart to apologise for the slurs that were made about Paul Quinn.

Basil McCrea made an offer to Members of Sinn Féin, but perhaps it takes them a while to get the message, so I will make that offer again. I will happily give way to any Member of Sinn Féin who wishes to take the opportunity to apologise for the slur that was cast on Paul Quinn's character.

Once again, the silence from the Sinn Féin Members is the most eloquent thing that we have heard from them this afternoon.

Our party has not laid the blame on any organisation. We talked about the rule of law, the role of the police - whether it be the PSNI or the gardaí - and the role of the courts in determining guilt, yet, even in those contexts, Sinn Féin Members cannot find it in their hearts to acknowledge that their statements, led by Conor Murphy in the wake of the murder, were utterly wrong. They stand condemned for their inability to recognise those simple facts. It was not only the assault and the murder that were wrong, it was the character assassination.

The Quinn family, and the memory of Paul Quinn, deserve an apology. However, it appears clear that no apology will be forthcoming from Sinn Féin. Indeed, it is not simply an apology that is required - there should be a full-scale retraction of the allegations.

The Alliance Party offered sympathy to the Quinn family's campaign, along with Ulster Unionist Members, SDLP Members and some former Members of Sinn Féin, in conjunction with others who are non-political, and today we heard sympathy from DUP Members. That does not make it a political campaign - it shows the level of backing across the community for the concerns raised by the Quinn support group. Those voices must be heard, because the politicisation has been the assault by Sinn Féin on the integrity of Paul Quinn's memory. For Sinn Féin to accuse others of politicising the issue is a little rich, to put it mildly.

The Alliance Party wants a new beginning for this society. We want to move to a society that is powered by totally peaceful and solely democratic means. When we look back at the murder of Paul Quinn, it is clear that some people do not wish to move to such a society. When we talk about these issues, it is not because we seek to bring down the institutions; it is because we seek to have institutions that are built on integrity, justice and the rule of law, and not on covering up awkward facts because they do not suit the needs of certain parties. If Mr O'Dowd expects other Members of the House to put the interests of the supposed greater good of stability secondary to the interests of getting justice and a full hearing for everyone, he will have to think again.

Mr O'Dowd: Will the Member give way?

Mr Ford: Unlike Mr O'Dowd, I will give way.

Mr O'Dowd: Mr Ford is doing himself and this debate a great disservice. I have not asked for anyone to put the murder of Paul Quinn above these institutions.

Mr Ford: Most Members in the Chamber heard a suggestion that there was a threat to the stability of the institutions because we debate these issues. That is fundamentally wrong and immoral, and we do not accept it.

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