THE QUINN Group has rejected a report that contractors linked to the company are prime suspects for the series of attacks on company management and property.
The group yesterday issued a statement defending its contractors against suggestions that some of them had links to republican paramilitaries and smuggling, and were involved in the attacks.
It is believed some of the attacks were motivated by people who opposed the new management which took over after the empire built by Seán Quinn went into receivership.
Since April there have been more than a dozen attacks on Quinn Group property.
The most serious incident was last Monday week, when the home of Paul O’Brien, the chief executive, was the target of an arson attack.
Mr O’Brien warned that if the incidents continued it could endanger jobs.
The cost of the damage to Quinn Group property and vehicles was now estimated at over £1 million, he said.
The Quinn Group defended its contractors after the Sunday Times newspaper, citing security sources, said at the weekend the main suspects for the attacks were some disgruntled contractors who were using their links with Quinn as a cover for smuggling.
It was reported the sources believed the attacks were not directly linked to the takeover of the company from Mr Quinn, who has condemned the attacks, but to decisions made about contracts.
It was reported that some contractors wanted to work for Quinn Group, “as it allows them to engage in serious crime and provides cover”.
Quinn Group issued a statement yesterday saying it “has only used long-standing, reputable contractors, and never before has their standing or credibility been in question”.
It added: “Quinn Group is not aware, and has never been aware, of any of its contractors having links to paramilitary organisations or being involved in subversive activities.
Quinn Group confirms that no material changes have been made to third party contracts since the group was taken over in April, and categorically refutes any suggestion that contractors of the Quinn Group were facilitated in involvement in criminality or subversive activities.”
It called on any “supposed security sources” to provide whatever evidence they have to the Garda or the PSNI.
