Plans for a film of Sean Sr's life are in development

Job losses at Quinn is "pure fabrication"

The Quinn Group has hit back at speculation that 38 jobs have been lost across its companies in recent weeks, describing the claim as "pure fabrication". However, the group admits that four jobs will go at the plastic plant in Derrylin. This follows last week's announcement by Liberty Insurance, a former Quinn company, that it was making 75 people redundant at the Cavan headquarters. Rumours were circulating that the jobs had been lost between the glass plant, packaging, the headquarters and the Slieve Russell Hotel. According to a statement issued by the group, employment in the packaging section has actually increased from 106 to 133 over the past 18 months. The claims arose from a November 22 email, received by this paper, sent by pro-Quinn group 'Concerned Irish Citizens', who said that "As a result of the devastating news that there were more than 35 jobs list in the Quinn Group in the last week and that Liberty Mutual are to make 285 employees redundant, this now brings the total number of job losses at former Quinn companies to a figure in excess of 1,600". The email says matters have now reached a "crisis point" and that a "crucial public meeting" will be held this Sunday (December 2) in Ballyconnell Community Centre at 6pm. Quinn Group, however, dismissed the claim as "pure fabrication". The company says that the 1,160 people currently employed by the Quinn Group in Ireland was the same as it was 18 months ago. A spokesman added the Slieve Russell Hotel was not part of the Quinn Manufacturing Group. The Anglo-Celt understands that no job losses have been incurred by the hotel this year. Calls made by this paper to Concerned Irish Citizens were not returned yesterday at the time of going to print. Quinn set for silver screen? Elsewhere, the story of the rise and fall of Sean Quinn Sr is in "the very early stages of development" for film. Dublin-based Soho Moon Pictures confirmed the story this week and Emmy award-winning Belfast man Ron Hutchinson is said to be penning the script. Hollywood heavyweight Kevin Spacey and Omagh-born actor Gerard McSorley have both been linked with the role - stories denied by Soho Moon. Sean Quinn Sr is currently serving a nine-week prison sentence for contempt in Mountjoy Prison. The Quinn family has, since early 2010, being involved in a bitter and high-profile legal battle with former Anglo Irish Bank, now IBRC, over alleged monies owed to the bank.