The Provisional IRA is believed to have been responsible for a vicious "punishment" attack on a young man in south Armagh, writes Suzanne Breen.
The family of Mr Ciaran Toner (22) said he was beaten because he refused to pay protection money to the paramilitary group. He remains seriously ill in hospital.
Mr Toner was attacked by men as he set up his chip van outside a pub in Camlough on Tuesday night. His family, local SDLP MP Mr Seamus Mallon and local people blame the Provisional IRA.
The victim's van was rammed by a vehicle. He was then dragged around the side of the pub and beaten with iron bars. He suffered broken arms, a broken leg, broken ribs and puncture wounds. His van was driven to his house and set on fire.
Mr Stephen Toner, the victim's brother, said the Provisional IRA had demanded protection money. "People came up to him and said they were from the IRA and they were looking for money off him for being there. He wouldn't give them anything and they said 'we have been asking you long enough' and then they gave him the beating."
Mr Mallon said he believed the Provisional IRA was involved. "I have no doubt that what happened was either carried out by those who were sanctioned by the IRA or by the IRA themselves. This doesn't happen in Co Armagh unless it is done with the blessing of that paramilitary group."
Sinn Féin Assembly member Mr Conor Murphy, denied republicans had attempted to extract protection money from Mr Toner.
Boy suspected of dying from gas
A post-mortem examination was yesterday being carried out on a 13-year-old boy who died after he was found unconscious in a field in Co Wicklow. The boy was found near a gas cylinder at 6.30 p.m. on Tuesday in the field at Kilcoole. It was suspected that he died after inhaling gas from the cylinder. His name will be released today.