Sir, – The Ballyconnell rally last weekend for Seán Quinn, and the support from a Fine Gael MEP, are an outrage, and an affront to democracy.
Our courts have a proven record of acting independently, making decisions after the most careful consideration, and showing favour to none. The recent court case of Seán Quinn, his son, and his nephew, concerning the action for contempt, was conducted with these same principles. Justice was done in public and the learned judge, after taking all the evidence presented to her into account (note, “evidence,” not tittle-tattle or personal opinion), made her decision.
The many public personalities who placed themselves in a leadership position at the rally in Ballyconnell have a duty, albeit a moral one, to recognise that their actions carry influence way beyond any small town in Cavan. In this case, and knowing that it is the courts and not politicians or business rivals who are making the decisions, wisdom would suggest they should think very carefully before acting as they did.
At best, their actions came out of not bothering to understand the facts, and placing personal loyalty before the reality of the thousands on this island caught up at the sharp end of the collapse of the Celtic Tiger, who struggle to feed their families, pay their bills and now, with September looming, despair when faced with clothing and equipping their children for school.
Yes, of course, Seán Quinn alone didn’t cause this, but he played his part, along with the many wealthy Seán Quinns throughout the country, whose greed ruined the lives of many thousands.
The Ballyconnell rally was a low point in our history and those who willingly associated their names to it acted shamefully. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Seán Quinn remains a hero in the Border counties. The supposed debt owed amounts to €700 for every man, woman and child in the country. This is such a small contribution to the thousands of sustainable jobs that his companies continue to give in Ireland. What about the tax and contribution made by these employees to the State and the local economy? Well done, Seán Quinn and continued good health to rise again. – Yours, etc,