The investigation into the murder of Paul Quinn in Co Monaghan last October is "very much ongoing", Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan said today.
Speaking in the Dáil during a debate on the murder of Mr Quinn (21), Mr Lenihan said the Border will not prevent any barrier to the investigation, and that the Garda had no information to suggest that the killing was carried out by the IRA.
Mr Quinn was lured into travelling across the Border from his home in Cullyhanna, Co Armagh, to a cattle shed near Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, on October 20th last year. He was severely beaten by a gang of up to a dozen men and died in hospital in Drogheda.
Mr Lenihan said had assured Mr Quinn's parents when he met them before Christmas that the gardaí are "absolutely determined to do everything in their power to bring Paul's killers to justice".
"They are carrying out a very intensive investigation, in the closest possible co-operation with the PSNI. Many statements have been taken; facts checked and re-checked. Forensic and other analyses have been carried out. At this stage all I can say is that this investigation is complex, but very much an ongoing one," the Minister said.
"I should say that, while some of the individuals involved in the assault on Paul Quinn may have crossed the Border to commit this crime, the gardaí and PSNI are demonstrating that the Border will not prove a barrier to their investigations.
Mr Lenihan said that when the PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde was in Dublin last week the case was reviewed in his discussions with the Garda Commissioner.
"Needless to say I have also spoken to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on several occasions, and we are determined to ensure the highest level of practical co-operation in both jurisdictions."
Mr Lenihan said there had been "speculation of intimidation of witnesses or potential witnesses" in this case. He said, however, it would not be helpful for him to comment.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said that if "good people" did not speak out about Paul Quinn's murder then the peace process was in trouble. "It is a real litmus test for the peace process," he said. He said the murder was "an act of premeditated savagery".
Mr Kenny also said it was important for all parties in the Dáil to state that Paul Quinn was "not a criminal". He said the structures of the IRA still existed and that if there were to be any legacy for Paul Quinn, it should be that the IRA should be abolished in its entirety. "You can't have this situation of plausible denial."
Labour Party spokeswoman Liz McManus said she had no doubt that members of the Provisional IRA carried out the attack and were responsible for his murder. "I do not know if the murder was sanctioned at a higher level, but regardless of this I believe that the Provisional movement has an obligation to face up to its responsibilities in regard to this murder," she said.
Sinn Féin Dáil leader and Cavan-Monaghan TD Caomghín O Caoláin condemned the killing as "a despicable act of brutality and murder". He said there should be nowhere to hide for the "criminals" who had lured Mr Quinn and beat him to death.
"I have seen no evidence that links this murder to republicans, but regrettably, such claims have been made," Mr O Caoláin said. He said it would be "totally irrelevant" if any of these criminals claimed at any time to be associated with Republicanism.
Mr Quinn's family were in the Dáil for today's debate, along with Dominic Bradley of the SDLP, who is to raise the issue of Mr Quinn's murder in the Northern Ireland Assembly next week.