THE PETROL bomb attack near the former Quinn Group HQ in Derrylin knocked out communications to the firm’s vast complex and people in the surrounding area yesterday, Tuesday.
The attack wiped out a BT installation near the Aventas head offices on Monday, and appears to be a continuation the litany of attacks aimed at the group, the 34th since May 2011.
The attack coincides with a Press release from Aventas Group, confirming an agreement has been signed which will involve the sale of the Quinn Rooftiles business in Derrylin to Lagan Cement Products, Belfast.
Both the attack, and the sale, have been condemned by a cross-border body, Concerned Irish Citizens. It wants the company returned to local ownership so as to protect the 1,100 jobs at sites in Derrylin and Ballyconnell.
A BT spokesperson said, ‘significant’ fire damage had been caused to two BT cabinets located on the Ballyconnell Road, Derrylin.
“Engineers are currently on site; however work cannot begin to fully assess the damage until the site is confirmed as safe. Both cabinets serve customers with telephone and broadband services in the area.”
Meanwhile, detectives in Enniskillen are appealing for information about this indirect attack on the Avantas Group, the latest in a series that began in May, 2011, following the takeover of the Quinn Group by Anglo Irish Bank.
Its spokesman stated: “Shortly before 9:15pm, it was reported that a car with a number of males on board stopped outside the premises.
“It is believed that two petrol bombs were thrown during the incident, causing scorch damage. The men made off along the Ballyconnell Road area.”
Last month, the chief executive of Aventas Group, Paul O’Brien told the Herald that management took all such attacks seriously.
“We have to protect our assets, and those assets aren’t just the building, they’re the people and the right for people to come here to work in peace and in safety, and not feel intimidated.”
Mr O’Brien described the attacks as, ‘misguided support for the former owner’, but he acknowledged that Sean Quinn had condemned the attacks.
The secretary, Patricia Gilheaney, of Concerned Irish Citizens, which is calling for ownership of the group to be returned to locals, insisted that her group was not a spokesman for the Quinns.
“We are concerned about finding a resolution to the whole thing. We understand that it’s not possible to reinstate the Quinn family, and we don’t wan’t to get involved in that. But, my understanding is that members of a Trust have spoken to Paul O’Brien about buying out the Quinn Group.”
She described the Trust members as, ‘fairly reputable business people from both sides of the border with a proven track record’.
She went on: “People are now outraged and very concerned that parts of the group are being sold off like a car boot sale, and that jobs will go.
“The only possible resolution – and we don’t feel it’s a big ask – is that local people, such as the Trust, will be given an opportunity because everybody wants an end to vandalism and the uncertainty, they want to know there will be jobs.”
Yesterday, Aventas Manufacturing Group confirmed that Quinn Building Products Ltd and Lagan Cement Products (“Lagan”) had signed an agreement which will involve the sale of the Quinn Rooftiles business in Derrylin to Lagan.
The statement added: “Subject to regulatory approval, the sale is expected to conclude in the coming months.
“Lagan has an existing smaller rooftiles plant in Belfast, and can utilise the additional capacity which the Derrylin plant will provide. This, in turn, provides continuity of employment for people in the Derrylin plant.
Meanwhile, the PSNI said enquiries into Monday night’s petrol bomb attack were continuing.
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