Quinn work stoppage can't be condoned - O'Brien

Seamus Enright Management at the embattled Quinn Group have slammed this week's protests which saw a mass work stoppage across all its manufacturing facilities in the Ballyconnell-Derrylin area. In a statement by Paul O'Brien, Quinn Group CEO, posted on the company website, also called on staff to inform them of any "activity which could be detrimental" to the business. The statement follows the staging of protests for several hours on Monday morning, in which heavy agricultural machinery was used to barricade the entrances to Quinn Group manufacturing facilities. He said that those involved in staging the work stoppage have chosen to "stay in the shadows" and "have little or no interest in your welfare, in the preservation of jobs in this community or in the continuation of the very substantial contribution these businesses make both directly and indirectly to the economic health of these localities." "The action", he said, "disrupted our businesses disrupted our customers and denied you your right to work without threat or interference, cannot be justified or condoned." Mr O'Brien went on state that the on-going legal dispute between the Quinn family and IBRC has nothing whatever to do with the Quinn Manufacturing Group which has no influence in these matters. "The beneficial owners of the Manufacturing Group are a number of Banks and Bondholders; IBRC have a minority shareholding in the Group on which they have little or no prospect of ever getting a return. They have no involvement in the management of our businesses." Mr O'Brien added that since the stoppage, he had become aware the organisers are not employees of this Group and he was "heartened by the many messages received from employees right across the businesses disassociating themselves from, and expressing deep annoyance at, the action. "As everyone knows these are difficult times for any business and especially so for any construction related businesses. Yesterday's (Monday's) action was clearly and callously designed to make it even more difficult for us. Despite such interference we are determined to see our businesses succeed and job retention maximised. Such success best serves your interests and the interests of the communities in which we operate. "I would ask each of you to remain vigilant and, should you become aware of any activity which could be detrimental to our businesses, please report it to your Divisional Manager or to HR.Your continued loyalty and dedication is very important to our businesses, to our customers and to each other. It is important too to the economic welfare of the local community." The Quinn Manufacturing Group employs more than 1,000 people in the Cavan-Fermanagh and border areas. Speaking on Monday, a protest organiser said, "We'll take this to Dublin if we have to, it won't stop here today (Monday), it won't stop until Sean Quinn is let out of jail and the businesses here are returned to the control of a local management."