Sean Quinn too stubborn for his own good

Stubbornness is a requisite attribute in anybody who achieves big things. Whether it be in politics, sport, business, the arts, or service to any ideals, the man or woman who refuses to yield, when common sense dictates otherwise, is imbued with a drive to succeed, often against the odds.

So it went with Sean Quinn, who built a business empire from a disused quarry in Fermanagh. Time and again, the former billionaire entered business sectors as an outsider. Each time, he defied common sense to succeed and thrive.

His stubbornness is still evident today, but now, post-crash, as Mr Quinn negotiates his autumn years, you have to wonder whether it’s an asset or a liability.