‘No Wexford link’ with kidnappers

January 1984

In spite of reports in the national papers, Wexford Gardai say that no local man is being sought in connection with the abduction of Quinnsworth executive, Don Tidey.

Reports last Friday indicated that forensic evidence gathered at Derrada Wood, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim, showed members of the kidnap gang to be from Leitrim, Wexford, Kerry and Louth.

And rumours circulating that one of the wanted men is from the Kilmore Quay area were quashed this week by Superintendent John Gurhy, when he described the stories and press reports as false.

‘ To our knowledge, no-one from Wexford is wanted in connection with these crimes,’ said the Supt., who said he had ‘checked out’ the reports.

Meanwhile, the search for a local businessman and members of the INLA gang who abducted three gardai at gunpoint in Enniscorthy some weeks ago has been scaled down.

There were intensive searches of Wexford and the surrounding areas over the Christmas period and the early part of January, but according to Supt. Gurhy, the searches have now become ‘sporadic’ with detectives only acting on specific information.

‘ There has been no sighting in some time of the individual we are seeking,’ he said.

Gardai now believe that the man may have left the area with the gang, which is reported to have been led by INLA Chief of Staff, Dominic McGlinchey, who is wanted in connection with crimes committed on both sides of the border.