Bus burned out at former Quinn site

Gardai have launched an investigation after a bus was driven across the entrance of a former Quinn Group packaging plant in Ballyconnell in the early hours of Tuesday morning and set alight.

The incident is the second such attack targeting the renamed Aventas Group in as many months.

Emblazoned with the words ‘Paul O’Brien Disaster Tours Leaving Soon’ on its side, it’s understood the cab of the bus was filled with used tires before being abandoned at the entrance to the Thermal Insulation and Packaging plants at Rathkeelan, Ballyconnell - it was set alight at approximately 5.20am.

The prepetrators fled soon after the fire was started and the alarm was raised by Aventas Group security staff patrolling the area, with gardai and emergency fire services soon arriving at the scene.

Gardai cordoned off the area, while the fire services from Ballyconnell battled the blaze, which was made all the more difficult due to the hazardous materials packed on board.

 

Investigation

No one was injured in this latest incident and no damage was caused to Aventas Group property.

Only last month, members of the PSNI and Fire Service of Northern Ireland were called to an incident at the former Quinn Group headquarters on the Ballyconnell Road, where a stolen oil tanker laden with 1,500 litres of fuel was driven through security barriers before being reversed into the front lobby of one of the main buildings and set on fire.

Garda Superintendent for the Cavan District James Coen told The Anglo-Celt that a criminal investigation into the incident had been opened. He said due to the early stage of the investigation, gardai are still attempting to ascertain the exact origins of the bus used in the attack and commended the work of his officers and that of the fire services in dealing with what a potentially dangerous situation.

Local firefighter who attended the scene and Sinn Fein County Councillor Damien Brady told the Celt that the attacks are not representative of the feeling within the majority of the community, and said workers are beginning to become disheartened at the continued acts of aggression against the company.

“This sort of thing has no place in community. This is not what people in this area want. There is endless respect for Sean Quinn and his family but this sort of thing is not being carried out in his name. This is a mindless vandalism from a small minority and it has to stop. Enough is enough”, he said.

 

Support

Yesterday afternoon, Aventas Group issued a statement saying the latest incident was carried out “in support” of an ongoing campaign to disrupt and sabotage the business, with those involved believing it would result in the reinstatement of the former owner, Sean Quinn, to the helm.

“This makes no sense and will not happen. The Aventas Group is owned and controlled by a number of international financial investors,” the company statement said.

It went on to explain the company continued to be erroneously vilified by signs erected locally referencing IBRC ownership of the group and that current executives had been appointed by former Anglo Irish Bank, the now liquidated IBRC.

“To be clear, the former Anglo Irish Bank, now IBRC, has no hand, act or part in the appointment of the management or the running of the business,” the statement said.

Frustrated by the recent vandalism, it has even prompted the new management to call upon former owner Mr Quinn to speak out publicly to quell the ongoing security and safety issues.

 

Condemn

“We condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms and as it is our strong belief that these acts are being carried out as a form of support for the former owner, we would call on him to issue an unequivocal statement condemning the most recent acts of sabotage and call on the perpetrators to desist immediately before someone is injured or worse,” the company said.

The former head of the Quinn Group has in the past said that the attacks are not in his name and called for them to cease.

However, it has done little to dissuade the flow of offences, including the torching of vans, damaging electricity pylons and a sinister attack at the home of Mr O’Brien.