Lagan links €1 million arson attack to purchase of Quinn Group asset

Criminal investigations have begun on both sides of the Border after arsonists destroyed the property of a major construction company in attacks that are being linked to its recent acquisition of a business once owned by the Quinn Group.

The attacks are the latest in a series of incidents in recent years against companies that had acquired or were planning to buy assets owned by the Quinn Group, which was previously controlled by businessman Seán Quinn.

The latest vandalism occurred in Co Down and Co Cork at the weekend and was targeted at the Lagan Asphalt company. Its sister company has recently acquired the Quinn Rooftiles business in Derrylin, Co Fermanagh.

Lagan Asphalt said it believed the attacks were linked to that purchase and put the damage at around €1 million.

At the company's Ballystockart quarry, Comber, Co Down, three pieces of heavy plant machinery were set on fire and destroyed, including two large dumper truck-style vehicles and a digger on caterpillar tracks.

And at the Lagan Asphalt premises in Carrigtwohill, Co Cork, heavy plant was also targeted in an arson attack.

At a property linked to the company in Lisburn, Co Antrim, graffiti was daubed which read "stay out of Co Fermanagh" and "hands off Quinn".

"We believe these attacks are related to Lagan Cement Group Limited's recent announcement to acquire the Quinn Rooftiles business in Derrylin, Co Fermanagh, thereby safeguarding employment for workers currently employed at the plant," Lagan Asphalt said in a statement.

“There is no justification for acts of wanton vandalism against the company and these will not be tolerated. Lagan is calling on elected and public representatives, and the hardworking local community, to officially condemn these unlawful acts and those who carry them out.”

The company said it was assisting both the PSNI and Garda probes into the incidents.

Mr Quinn has repeatedly condemned attacks on assets and businesses he once owned. Most recently, last month he said people who parked a bus at the entrance to a Quinn Group property in Co Cavan before setting it on fire were not acting in his name.