Thousands march in support of Quinn
Around 5000 people are staging a rally in Ballyconnell in Co Cavan this evening in support of the Quinn family.
Demonstrators are calling for the contempt orders issued against Sean Quinn Senior, his son Sean Junior, and his nephew Peter Darragh Quinn to be lifted.
Many are holding placards, with one reading "No justice in Ireland. Quinn held to ransom".
It comes in the wake of fresh reports that, Peter Darragh Quinn has been photographed at a GAA match in Co. Fermanagh.
He's been on the run from Gardaí since July 20th, when he failed to turn up at a High Court hearing, where he and his cousin Sean Quinn Junior, were sentenced to three months in prison for contempt of court.
Several major GAA names from both sides of the border led young and old, many carrying posters calling for the release of Sean Jnr.
An emotional Sean Quinn Snr, his wife Patricia, three of their children and extended family members, including Sean Jnr’s wife Karen, were at the demonstration.
“The Quinns always stick by each other,” he said.
The former tycoon thanked his staff for their service and their help in building the empire he grew by working hard on his behalf, but criticised those against him.
“An untrue story is being told,” he added.
Tyrone manager Mickey Harte also stood by the Quinns, who at one stage employed 7,000 people – many in the border counties.
“You know decent people when you meet them. The Quinns are decent people,” he said.
Elsewhere Father Brian D’Arcy compared Anglo, rebranded as the IBRC, to the institutions of the Catholic Church.
“The main reason I’m here tonight is because as Christians and good neighbours we have a right, a duty, to and stand by our families and neighbours when they are in trouble,” the outspoken priest said.
“And nobody will take that away from us.”
