Quinns: We are being crucified and at our wits’ end dealing with bank

The family of bankrupt businessman Seán Quinn are at their “wits’ end” dealing with the former Anglo Irish Bank, the Commercial Court heard.

The Quinns feel “crucified” and want a mediation of the legal dispute over the location of multimillion international property assets, it was alleged.

Mr Quinn’s son-in-law, Niall McPartland, claimed IBRC’s cross-examination application served a dual purpose in letting it “have a go” at the family in the witness box before the hearing of the main action. He told Mr Justice Peter Kelly mediation was a cheaper and faster way of addressing the issues.

The Quinns yesterday opposed an application by IBRC for a court cross-examination of the Quinn children to establish if they have disclosed asset-stripping measures. The family contend they have but the bank claims otherwise. That matter has been adjourned to Nov 29.

The judge said he was a strong supporter of mediation but it was not appropriate at this stage given the bank’s opposition to mediation due to its belief the family had not complied with court orders to disclose assets.

Several of the family were in court including Seán Quinn Jr, who was freed last Friday after three months in prison for contempt of court.

Mr McPartland said the family had told the bank for about 18 months that “we do not have the assets and we can’t get them”.

“We are at our wits’ end” and in a very difficult position, he said. The family had offered to assist the bank in its effort to recover assets; it had not taken that up and the “constant bombardment” of court orders was not helping, he claimed.

The impression was being given it was “all the Quinns’ fault” but there was “more going on than meets the eye”, he said.