A GROUP SET up in support of former billionaire Seán Quinn and his family has received pledges of up to €2 million from people wanting to help with legal fees.
Speaking to RTÉ Radio One’s This Week programme, spokesperson Adrian McCaffrey said the monetary promises have come from “successful business people” and “high net worth individuals” living both north and south of the border.
He added that no money has been collected yet as Concerned Irish Business’ was just looking for pledges at the moment.
“We haven’t solicited any of the pledges. We’ve talked to people and believe we have a seven figure sum,” he said. When pressed, he confirmed that the amount was “up around that scale” of €2 million.
He said the group was looking at legal and governance structures for ways the pledges can be turned into money and utilised to help the Quinn family.
The names of any potential donators have not been revealed but McCaffrey confirmed none were members of the family itself. Recent rallies held in Ballyconnell in Cavan have been attended by high profile personalities, including Tyrone manager Mickey Harte, former Meath manager Seán Boylan, player Colm O’Rourke and well-known priest Fr Brian D’Arcy.
Another ‘Rally for Justice’ is scheduled for 14 October.
The campaign was ramped up after the jailing of Seán Quinn Junior last July and the stepping down of the family’s legal team.
“The Quinn family bank account has been frozen and the stepping down of the legal team…initiated actions by different people to come forward and offer their assistance,” explained McCaffrey.
Ireland’s one-time richest man and his family are currently representing themselves across various legal battles with IBRC, the former Anglo Irish Bank.
His nephew, Peter Darragh, continues to evade Garda arrest despite a warrant still being in place. Gardaí can only work within their own jurisdiction and once he travelled outside of Ireland, they could not force him to return. His permanent address is across the border near Enniskillen in Fermanagh.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say