Seán Quinn’s home searched by gardaí investigating alleged criminal activity

The home of businessman Seán Quinn has been searched by gardaí investigating alleged criminal activity in the border region.

The property in Ballyconnell, Co Cavan was visited by members of the force at about 11am on Wednesday. The search concluded on Wednesday afternoon with members of the force leaving with a number of boxes of material.

Mr Quinn confirmed to BBC News Northern Ireland that his home had been searched but said he did not know why.

“They said it was coercion, deception, harassment - stuff like that,” he told the broadcaster.

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“So I asked them who was I harassing, this that and the other and they said: ‘Look we can’t tell you that. We just have to do our investigation but that’s what we’re here for.’

“They never mentioned anything about criminality. Unless harassment is criminality, they never mentioned anything like that at all.”

Mr Quinn said he then told the gardaí: “It’s just a fishing expedition is all I can see because you can’t tell me why you’re here.”

Gardaí from the Cavan/Monaghan Garda Division carried out the search following the issuing of a warrant by a District Court judge under Section 10 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997. This section allows gardaí to search premises for evidence when investigating serious offences.

The Garda said no arrests have been made and that it could not comment further.

In recent years, gardaí have been investigating several attacks on senior employees of Mannok, formerly known as Quinn Industrial Holdings.

Three men were convicted at the Special Criminal Court over the abduction and assault of Kevin Lunney, a senior management figure in the company. The attack came amid a wave of death threats, violence and sabotage against the business.

Following a lengthy trial, gang leader Alan Harte was jailed for 30 years while Alan O’Brien and Darren Redmond were given sentences of 25 and 18 years respectively.

The business was previously owned by one-time billionaire Mr Quinn, who condemned the attack on Mr Lunney as barbaric.