Paul Quinn, 21, was found at a farm house outside Castleblaney just after 1800 BST on Saturday - he died later in Drogheda hospital.

The Cullyhanna man's family say he was recently involved in a dispute with individual members of the IRA.

A short time later he was told to leave the country.

"Our son courageously and correctly refused to leave," read a statement from the Quinn family.

"We believe that he was abducted by the Provisional movement and brutally beaten to death."

A local priest has spoken of the family's devastation following the murder. "His family are in a great state of shock," said Fr Kevin Cullen.

"The community are very upset and numb at the death of a young person; one that died in such tragic circumstances, so young."

'Lured to farm'

An assembly member said Mr Quinn had been lured to a farm in County Monaghan where he was attacked by a gang.

"There is utter revulsion in the local community at this act," said the SDLP's Dominic Bradley.

"The community in Monaghan and south Armagh must work with an Garda Siochana and the PSNI by giving them the information they need to bring these people to justice."

It is thought at least three others were at the farm at Tullycoora who crossed the border back into Northern Ireland.

Two people arrived at the Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry a short time later to be treated for serious injuries.