FG split as MEP publicly supports Quinns

Fine Gael MEP Seán Kelly has publicly offered his support to bankrupt tycoon Seán Quinn who owes €2.8bn to the state-owned Anglo Irish Bank.

A spokesperson for Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he had no comment on Mr Kelly’s remarks and a party spokesperson said party members were free to take individual positions on issues. Other Fine Gael TDs, however, disagreed with Mr Kelly’s support for the Quinns.

Former GAA president Mr Kelly had earlier joined other senior members of the organisation in standing behind the former billionaire and said it was “admirable” that thousands joined a rally to back him on Sunday night.

The MEP for Ireland South speaking on Radio Kerry said Sunday night’s rally in Ballyconnell, Co Cavan, was “an expression of moral support” for a family who had always been loyal to the association.

While recognising a judicial process was under way, he said the Quinns had never forgotten their roots and had always committed to the GAA financially and in terms of their time.

It was not an official protest sanctioned by Croke Park “per se”, he said. But, Mr Kelly said, showing support “for our own” and standing behind those in trouble locally was what the association was all about.

The group behind the organisation of the event, calling themselves Concerned Irish Citizens, have promised “more and bigger rallies” later in the week.

“We will let the present Government and the bankers know of the support for the Quinns,” said the committee. “Anybody who was there and saw the rally would know — even to see the people saying the Our Father at the end means a lot to us.”

The Fine Gael press office said: “We don’t interfere with the judicial process. But individuals are free to state their individual positions on things.”

A spokesperson for the GAA said: “The people were there in a personal capacity and are free to do so. They’re members of the GAA but what they do in their spare time is their own business.”

Mr Quinn, his son, Seán Quinn Jr, and nephew, Peter Darragh Quinn, were found guilty of contempt of court orders restraining them from putting assets beyond the reach of the former Anglo Irish Bank.

While his son was jailed for three months, an arrest warrant is out for Mr Quinn’s nephew. He is currently in the North where he attended two GAA matches over the weekend, and authorities here are powerless to force his return to this jurisdiction.

Fine Gael TD Simon Harris questioned the point of Sunday night’s rally, which was attended by Tyrone football manager Mickey Harte and former Meath star Colm O’Rourke. “You have people turning up to an all-Ireland organisation event, but saying ‘I’m in a different part of Ireland’ so I can avoid the legal system and the judiciary.’

“It is not up to any Irish citizen to decide if someone should or shouldn’t be pursued by the court system,” said the Wicklow TD.

Dublin South Fine Gael TD Olivia Mitchell said she had “absolutely no sympathy for the Quinn family”.