Quinn staff outraged by attacks on company building

Vandals attacking property at the former Quinn Group were urged by staff at the company today to back off.

Vandals attacking property at the former Quinn Group were urged by staff at the company today to back off.

Outraged staff at the Derrylin, Co Fermanagh, manufacturing and insurance firm said the damage was not helping their fight to save jobs.

Part of a wall of the staff canteen was demolished, leaving a gaping hole, but employees had already gone home and there were no injuries.

One worker said: "The people behind this do not represent those who work here, this does not help us save jobs."

The building is held up by temporary supports while rubble and smashed window panes are cleared. The truck was found burned out on a side road nearby.

Last night's attack was the latest in a series since the former Anglo Irish Bank took control of Sean Quinn's business.

Police confirmed that shortly after 6pm a vehicle was taken from behind the premises and driven into the front of the building, before it was taken a short distance away, set alight and destroyed.

Tattered Christmas decorations were visible inside the badly-damaged premises and workers were removing debris.

John Maguire, who represented the Concerned Irish Business Group which supports Quinn, said the destruction would help nobody.

"It is time for reflection, cool heads and common sense to prevail on all sides," he said.

"Physical damage to property or anything else won't solve this.

"Nobody has worked harder for the local community than Sean Quinn and his local staff and it is unfortunate that what has happened has happened."

Mr Quinn has previously condemned the attacks, said those responsible were not acting in his name and called for them to stop. Vehicles have been burned and power lines cut to businesses in the group.

Sinn Féin Assembly member Phil Flanagan condemned those responsible for the latest incident.

"These people have no regard for the current employees of the Quinn Group and any attempt to portray this as an action on their behalf will simply not wash," he said.

"This type of activity, along with the previous attacks, has no support in the local community. The people in this area want to see the existing jobs within the Quinn group retained and this ongoing campaign of destruction will not help that in any way."

The bank controlling the business, now known as the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation (IBRC), has been in court in Belfast this week attempting to have Mr Quinn's bankruptcy in the North set aside.

The former tycoon, 63, once believed to have been the richest man in Ireland, was reputedly worth €4.72bn at the height of his success.

He lost control of his manufacturing and insurance business in April but has challenged the bank's claims over his debts, claiming he only has €11,000 in the bank.

At the time of his bankruptcy, the IBRC said Mr Quinn and his family owed €2.9bn.

Before his downfall, his story was a classic rags-to-riches tale, beginning his career with a £100 loan to dig gravel on his father's farm.

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