Arsonists burn bus at Quinns' former premises

BANKRUPT businessman Sean Quinn is involved in a bitter war of words with the company running his former businesses after an arson attack using a burning bus.

A gang drove a bus to the entrance of Thermal Insulation in Ballyconnell, Co Cavan, and set it on fire in the latest attack on premises formerly owned by the Quinns.

Detectives from the PSNI and An Garda Siochana are co-operating in their investigation into a series of incidents on both sides of the Border.

The Aventas Group, which now runs the business, issued a terse statement calling on Mr Quinn to condemn the attack.

But the Quinn family reacted with anger to the statement, pointing out that it had consistently condemned all arson attacks.

It came after 52-seater bus was set on fire in front of three businesses in Ballyconnell, Co Cavan at 5am yesterday.

Gardai said no damage was caused to the businesses. A number of tyres had been placed inside the bus.

A sign reading "Paul O'Brien. Disaster Tours. Leaving Soon" was attached to the vehicle.

Mr O'Brien was appointed chief executive of the Quinn businesses by the receivers. Mr O'Brien's BMW car was previously torched in an attack in August 2011.

CONDEMN

Gardai and PSNI detectives are working to catch the gang behind a series of attacks. In December, a fuel tanker was set on fire at the former Quinn Group headquarters in Fermanagh, just over a mile from yesterday's incident.

The Aventas statement said: "We believe these criminal acts are 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. 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.

SOURCE-IRISH INDEPENDENT