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Latest: Sean Quinn condemns latest arson attack on factory

Bus burnt at Quinn Therm plant

THE former owner of the Quinn Group, Sean Quinn, has responded to a challenge by its new owners, Aventas Group, to condemn yesterday’s arson attack on a bus parked at the entrance to three of its manufacturing units near Ballyconnell.

It was the 34th attack on property/premises belonging to the Group.

Mr Quinn, pictured, in a statement, said he had already publicly condemned these attacks in the strongest terms.

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He went on: “Lest there be any doubt: I wish to reiterate in the most categoric terms that I condemn these unlawful acts and that any persons carrying out such acts are not acting in my name.”

The arson attack on the bus occurred at 5.30am. The vehicle was totally gutted, but there was no damage caused to any other building, and no one was injured.

The Aventas Group, in a statement, said it believed ‘these criminal acts’ were being carried out in support of an ongoing campaign to disrupt and sabotage the business in the belief that this will result in reinstatement of the former owner of the business.

It went on: “This makes no sense and will not happen. The Aventas Group is owned and controlled by a number of international financial investors.

“Signs erected locally continually referencing IBRC ownership of the Group and the current executives having been appointed by “Anglo” are incorrect and purposely misleading.

“To be clear: the former Anglo Irish Bank, now IBRC, has no hand, act or part in the appointment of the management or the running of the business.”

The company then challenged Mr Quinn to react.

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Its statement continued: “As it is our strong belief that these acts are being carried out as a form of support for the former owner, we would call on him to issue an unequivocal statement condemning the most recent acts of sabotage, and we call on the perpetrators to desist immediately before someone is injured or worse.”

This is the 34th in a series of attacks.

Last month, an oil tanker with a payload of 1,500 litres of fuel aboard,  was reversed into the Derrylin head offices of Avantas Group, and its cab set alight. Fire crews prevented the flames from igniting the fuel.

The Fermanagh South Tyrone, MP, Michelle Gildernew said the attacks needed to stop.

“There is no justification for them whatsoever. The only thing this type of action is going to achieve is that sooner or later someone will be injured or worse. Further to this, these attacks will severely impact on local jobs.”

Ms Gildernew urged anyone with information to contact the PSNI or the Garda at Ballyconnell, 049 9525880.

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