Sir, – May I endorse Michael Harding’s comments in relation to Seán Quinn (Opinion, August 4th.
I have had the pleasure of knowing and doing business with Seán Quinn since he put his first shovel in the ground to create what was to become the Quinn Group. I can personally vouch for his determination and tenacity in building his business from humble beginnings and I enjoyed many a cup of tea with “bread and jam” in the company of his late mother while Seán was off delivering a lorry load of sand.
It was not “plain sailing” for Seán in building his business and I bore witness to his many setbacks – which he had to bear and move on. Not for him the luxury of business suits and expense accounts, but more the attire of boiler suit and rubber boots. I feel it is high time the “tanks were removed from his lawn”. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – My understanding of the distinction between Seán Quinn, his family and the Quinn Group is no greater than my understanding of the mystery of the Holy Trinity. However, I have observed that all the kudos for the creation of jobs and wealth attaches to Seán Quinn and his relatives while the responsibility for the huge debts, it is claimed, attaches to the Quinn Group.
I further observed, when I paid a levy of €21 on renewing my house insurance recently, that, mysteriously, some of the responsibility for paying those debts attaches or, barring a miracle, will attach to me.
Perhaps there is an econo-theologian among the Ballyconnell Four Thousand who can demystify all this for me? – Yours, etc,
A chara, – Many are confused by the complicated issues in the Quinn/Anglo affair, but in effect, it comes down to three simple questions: 1. Was Quinn Insurance put into administration in error, as new evidence appears to suggest? 2. Why was the Quinn Group seized prior to the legitimacy of the €2.3 billion of alleged debt, being established in a court of law and why has it still not been ruled on? 3. How much has been recouped in Anglo’s strategy on Quinn and how much public money has been spent on same strategy and crucially how does this compare with what was on offer from Quinn? – Is mise,
Sir, – As an Irish pensioner, I am obliged to pay €25 this year, and 2 per cent of house and water premium, possibly, for the rest of my life. This is a contribution to pay insurance claims for UK-based policy holders.
Quinn supporters please note! – Yours, etc,
Sir, – For years I have read and enjoyed Michael Harding’s articles, full of echoes of older days and the importance of small meetings and leisurely chat.
But in his article about the Quinn “debacle” (Opinion, August 4th), in which he supports Seán Quinn, he writes of those who take a different stance, with the same “vitriol and venom” he decries.
To me this is an ugly article, written with the very rhetoric of hatred he so deplores. Can this possibly be the same Michael Harding? – Yours, etc,