As the community continues to reel from the horrific kidnapping and torture of the Quinn Industrial Holdings (QIH) director, who has now been released from hospital, the Ballyconnell parish priest hit the headlines with his controversial homily this week.

Fr Oliver O’Reilly has since promised to tell An Garda Siochana the name of the person he believes paid those who attacked Mr Lunney, stating “the dogs on the street know who it is.” 

“There would be some here who would be supportive of the paymaster and that is the reality,” he said. 

Fr O’Reilly received a round of applause following his impassioned sermon on Sunday, in which he hit out at the attack and called for an end to the violence. He referred to a Mafia-style group operating locally, which he said had its own “Godfather” with “ulterior motives” and who paid criminals to carry out the attack. 

Afterwards, however, Fr O’Reilly was approached by some parishioners who told him to “mind his own business” and he then received a sinister call warning him to “watch yourself.” 

Meanwhile, the outpouring of support for Mr Lunney, his family, and the company which employs over 800 local people, has been continuing this week. 

Cllr Adam Gannon said the community was united in its condemnation of the attack, and added the QIH directors were “100 percent committed to the company and the community.” 

“Given this has been going on for a couple of years, they have shown they are committed and are not going to be intimidated,” he said. 

Around 400 people turned out for a special Mass at St Naile’s Church in Kinawley on Monday night to show solidarity with Mr Lunney. Lead by Fr Maurice McMorrow, and concelebrated by Fr O’Reilly, the congregation prayed for Mr Lunney’s swift recovery. 

The Mass had been proposed by the Kinawley Community Hall Association, of which Mr Lunney is a founding member. 

 A spokesman for QIH has thanked the local community for its support and said Mr Lunney was recovering with his family, while his brother said he expected the father-of-six to make a full recovery. 

“Kevin is resilient so he will get though this,” said Tony Lunney. “He is a tough nut.”