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Kevin Lunney abduction: Suspect Cyril McGuinness dies | Kevin Lunney abduction: Suspect Cyril McGuinness dies |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The main suspect in the investigation into the kidnap and torture of a Northern Ireland businessman has died during a police raid in England. | The main suspect in the investigation into the kidnap and torture of a Northern Ireland businessman has died during a police raid in England. |
Cyril McGuinness, 54, is thought to have suffered a heart attack as police searched his Derbyshire home on Friday. | |
That search was part of a joint police operation across the UK and Ireland in which almost 20 properties were raided. | That search was part of a joint police operation across the UK and Ireland in which almost 20 properties were raided. |
Quinn Industrial Holdings (QIH) executive Kevin Lunney was beaten by a gang in on 17 September. | |
Derbyshire Constabulary said its officers carried out the search of McGuinness's home in Buxton on behalf of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). | Derbyshire Constabulary said its officers carried out the search of McGuinness's home in Buxton on behalf of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). |
"Shortly after that warrant was carried out at 07:30 GMT, a 54-year-old man inside the property was taken ill," added Derbyshire Constabulary. | "Shortly after that warrant was carried out at 07:30 GMT, a 54-year-old man inside the property was taken ill," added Derbyshire Constabulary. |
The force said officers administered first aid and called paramedics but the man died. | The force said officers administered first aid and called paramedics but the man died. |
Who was Cyril McGuinness? | Who was Cyril McGuinness? |
A convicted smuggler, Cyril McGuinness was known as "Dublin Jimmy" and had an extensive criminal record. | A convicted smuggler, Cyril McGuinness was known as "Dublin Jimmy" and had an extensive criminal record. |
The 54-year-old from Derrylin in County Fermanagh was exposed in an investigation by BBC Northern Ireland's Spotlight programme in 2004 into the illegal transport of waste. | The 54-year-old from Derrylin in County Fermanagh was exposed in an investigation by BBC Northern Ireland's Spotlight programme in 2004 into the illegal transport of waste. |
In 2007, he received a suspended sentence after he admitted 22 charges relating to the illegal transport of waste from the Republic of Ireland, through Northern Ireland to Scotland. | In 2007, he received a suspended sentence after he admitted 22 charges relating to the illegal transport of waste from the Republic of Ireland, through Northern Ireland to Scotland. |
In 2011, he was extradited to Belgium to serve a seven-year prison term for stealing lorries and cranes that were brought to Ireland. | In 2011, he was extradited to Belgium to serve a seven-year prison term for stealing lorries and cranes that were brought to Ireland. |
He was described in a European extradition warrant in 2008 as an "active member of an Irish criminal organisation". | He was described in a European extradition warrant in 2008 as an "active member of an Irish criminal organisation". |
In April that year, he was stopped by Serbian police near the Croatian border - when they realised he was subject to a Europe-wide warrant he was extradited to Bruges. | In April that year, he was stopped by Serbian police near the Croatian border - when they realised he was subject to a Europe-wide warrant he was extradited to Bruges. |
He faced charges in Bruges but left the country after being granted bail and was convicted in his absence. | He faced charges in Bruges but left the country after being granted bail and was convicted in his absence. |
The Independent Office for Police Conduct, which handles complaints made against police forces in England and Wales, is investigating McGuinness's death. | The Independent Office for Police Conduct, which handles complaints made against police forces in England and Wales, is investigating McGuinness's death. |
"We have sent investigators to the property and to the police post incident procedure to begin gathering information," it said. | "We have sent investigators to the property and to the police post incident procedure to begin gathering information," it said. |
Phones, computers and documents were seized during the search. | |
As part of the police operation on Friday, the PSNI carried out five searches in Derrylin. | As part of the police operation on Friday, the PSNI carried out five searches in Derrylin. |
The Garda Síochána (Irish police force) said 100 of its officers were involved in searching five locations in County Cavan, three in County Longford and four in Dublin. | The Garda Síochána (Irish police force) said 100 of its officers were involved in searching five locations in County Cavan, three in County Longford and four in Dublin. |
They said the locations were a mixture of houses and commercial premises. | They said the locations were a mixture of houses and commercial premises. |
McGuinness had been a target of the police on both sides of the Irish border for years and had more than 50 convictions. | McGuinness had been a target of the police on both sides of the Irish border for years and had more than 50 convictions. |
He was the main suspect in the kidnap of and violent attack on 50-year-old Mr Lunney, who was abducted as he was driving home from work in Kinawley in County Fermanagh. | He was the main suspect in the kidnap of and violent attack on 50-year-old Mr Lunney, who was abducted as he was driving home from work in Kinawley in County Fermanagh. |
Mr Lunney, a father of six, had his leg broken, was slashed with a knife and doused with bleach in a two-and-a-half hour ordeal. | Mr Lunney, a father of six, had his leg broken, was slashed with a knife and doused with bleach in a two-and-a-half hour ordeal. |
He had the letters QIH cut into his chest with a knife and told the BBC's Spotlight this week that he feared that he would never see his wife and children again. | He had the letters QIH cut into his chest with a knife and told the BBC's Spotlight this week that he feared that he would never see his wife and children again. |
After the attack, Mr Lunney was dumped on a road in County Cavan 22 miles (35km) from where he was abducted. | After the attack, Mr Lunney was dumped on a road in County Cavan 22 miles (35km) from where he was abducted. |
He was found by a member of the public. | He was found by a member of the public. |
'Searches represent major response by police' | 'Searches represent major response by police' |
Analysis by Julian O'Neill, BBC News NI home affairs correspondent | Analysis by Julian O'Neill, BBC News NI home affairs correspondent |
Police on both sides of the Irish border are under pressure to get results after a long-running series of threats and other incidents. | Police on both sides of the Irish border are under pressure to get results after a long-running series of threats and other incidents. |
The campaign against QIH and senior staff has spanned several years. | The campaign against QIH and senior staff has spanned several years. |
There have been scores of incidents but to date no-one has been charged. | There have been scores of incidents but to date no-one has been charged. |
The abduction of Kevin Lunney represented a significant ratcheting-up of things. | The abduction of Kevin Lunney represented a significant ratcheting-up of things. |
Police have given priority to the investigation and the scale of the co-ordinated searches appears to represent a major response. | Police have given priority to the investigation and the scale of the co-ordinated searches appears to represent a major response. |
The PSNI's Det Ch Insp Julie Mullan said its detectives would "continue to work closely" with the Garda Síochána and Derbyshire Constabulary to try to "bring the perpetrators to justice". | The PSNI's Det Ch Insp Julie Mullan said its detectives would "continue to work closely" with the Garda Síochána and Derbyshire Constabulary to try to "bring the perpetrators to justice". |
In the past week, signs near the headquarters of QIH in Derrylin attacking the directors have been removed and the PSNI has increased its patrols in the area. | In the past week, signs near the headquarters of QIH in Derrylin attacking the directors have been removed and the PSNI has increased its patrols in the area. |
The companies comprising QIH were formerly owned by Sean Quinn, who was once Ireland's richest man. | The companies comprising QIH were formerly owned by Sean Quinn, who was once Ireland's richest man. |
When his business empire collapsed, businessmen, including his former associates, bought the companies. | When his business empire collapsed, businessmen, including his former associates, bought the companies. |
Mr Lunney, who worked with Mr Quinn for many years and remained loyal after the County Fermanagh tycoon's bankruptcy, was reinstated as a director and Mr Quinn was employed as a consultant. | Mr Lunney, who worked with Mr Quinn for many years and remained loyal after the County Fermanagh tycoon's bankruptcy, was reinstated as a director and Mr Quinn was employed as a consultant. |
Mr Quinn left that role in 2016, later saying he was forced out and his family had been "stabbed in the back". | Mr Quinn left that role in 2016, later saying he was forced out and his family had been "stabbed in the back". |
He has repeatedly condemned attacks on property belonging to the owners of his former businesses. | He has repeatedly condemned attacks on property belonging to the owners of his former businesses. |
The Irish News reported on Friday that the directors of QIH have rejected an offer to meet the Quinn family. | The Irish News reported on Friday that the directors of QIH have rejected an offer to meet the Quinn family. |
It said Mr Quinn's son Sean Quinn Jr made the offer in a statement to the BBC's Spotlight. | It said Mr Quinn's son Sean Quinn Jr made the offer in a statement to the BBC's Spotlight. |