FG chair: Quinn dishonours GAA role

A senior Fine Gael figure has accused the brother of bankrupt billionaire Seán Quinn of dishonouring the role of GAA president.

Party chairman Charlie Flanagan accused Peter Quinn of appearing to stand outside the law and using language from the gutter in defending his family.

“Politicians are not beyond criticism, but the uncouth language used by Mr Quinn does not befit a man who was president of the GAA, one of the most respected offices in Irish public life,” said Mr Flanagan.

Former GAA president Mr Quinn launched a swingeing attack on financial regulator Matthew Elderfield and Irish Bank Resolution Corporation chairman Alan Dukes, among others, at the latest rally in support of the family in Ballyconnell.

He also attacked politicians, including Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Finance Minister Michael Noonan.

“The language used by Mr Quinn yesterday belongs in the gutter and dishonours the office of Úachtaráin of the GAA, which he once held,” said Mr Flanagan.

“Mr Quinn is happy to be seen in public in Northern Ireland with his son [Peter Darragh Quinn], who is currently avoiding the sentence handed down to him by a court in the Republic.

“Our courts are a fundamental pillar of our democracy and the law must take its course. It is highly unsatisfactory that some people feel that these standards do not apply to them.”

Former billionaire Seán Quinn, who faces the High Court on Friday to find out if he will be jailed for contempt over alleged asset stripping, shed tears in front of more than 5,000 people hometown supporters.

His brother was one of a series of speakers, which included his daughter Ciara.

Peter Quinn also used his 40-minute speech to declare that the family would be cleared of any wrongdoing in relation to €2.8bn Anglo debts in “an impartial court free from political influence”.

“Neither Anglo nor the media will break the Quinn resolve, neither Elderfield or Dukes, nor Kenny or Noonan or any of the other bollixes in Dáil Éireann will ever break the Quinns’ spirit,” said Peter Quinn.

The family are embroiled in a legal battle with Anglo, rebranded IBRC, over the debts, and have taken a counter-case again the bank over a loans deal.

Seán Quinn, his son, and his nephew Peter Darragh Quinn were found guilty of breaching court orders to stop putting up to €500m worth of property assets beyond the reach of the bank.

Mr Quinn Jr is appealing his imprisonment at Mountjoy’s training centre, while Peter remains on the run in Northern Ireland.