Cillr Paddy O'Reilly makes presentation to chairman of the Cavan Association in London, Peter Brady.

Messages of support from London for Quinns

Linda O'Reilly A resounding message of support for embattled Sean Quinn and his family rung out amid the celebrations of the Diamond Jubilee of the Cavan Association in London last weekend. Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council and government party councillor, Paddy O'Reilly, made a passionate speech during which he gave his backing for the former billionaire who was jailed last week for the contempt of a High Court Order demanding that he reverse asset stripping measures to put assets beyond the reach of the former Anglo Irish Bank. Cllr O'Reilly said that it was the "irresponsible banking system and bad or no governance of our country that were the major contributing factors to this crash". To rapturous applause, Cllr O'Reilly said: "I'll kick no Cavan man when he's down but rather remember the good that he did in his lifetime and if we had more people in County Cavan like Sean Quinn and his family, we wouldn't have the boat of emigration... Those responsible for the crash in this country, if they had done as much for Ireland as he had, we'd have a far better county and country." For more on the Cavan Association's annual dinner and dance in the London Irish Centre see this week's Anglo-Celt newspaper.