8 The Sunday Times May 24, 2020 NEWS Lights, camera, fabrication

A high-budget online docudrama claims crime boss Daniel Kinahan is the victim of a conspiracy between a rival gang and the authorities. Crooks always love to rewrite history, finds John Mooney

s video releases go on You- Tube, The Regency: Discover the Truth, was a short-lived affair. The 15-minute docu- mentary, about the paramili- tary-style assault on a boxing weigh-in held at the epony- mous Dublin hotel in 2016, was first broadcast on Sun- day night but taken down on Thursday over copyright infringement. IN PROGRESS ANo expense had been spared in the making of the production. The docu- drama featured actors, dressed as the garda’s emergency response unit and carrying imitation AK-47 assault rifles, sweeping through the corridors of a hotel in search of their target, Daniel Kinahan. At least 100 actors were hired for the shoot, which is thought to have been directed by a Welsh film-maker. Attention was paid to minute details — the produc- ers commissioned a replica of the Regency hotel’s welcoming mat — and there were even pyrotechnics: a getaway van explodes after being set on fire on a residential street. Lloyd James, a Welsh portrait photog- rapher, was hired to play the role of Kinahan, who in real life escaped from the venue by running through an emer- gency exit, though one of his friends, David Byrne, was shot dead. James dyed his hair and grew stubble to play the role. The propaganda film suggests the Regency attack was a conspiracy between a rival gang, the gardai and Fine Gael to win the 2016 election. It is a Industry sources say making the film “I didn’t receive any money to upload claims. I can’t confirm anything in it,” British rapper J Spades, them in a popular light,” he said. “These bizarre conspiracy theory, but it had cost in the region of €300,000. It was it. I just thought it was interesting. It was added the Scarcity manager, who lives in below, has recorded films often made the yakuza appear to already attracted more than 90,000 uploaded by Scarcity Studios, a YouTube given to me as something that showed a Birmingham. “Maybe I should have put a a song about Kinahan, be the victim of a government conspir- views before being taken down on Thurs- channel run by Douglas Alan Hone, who different version of events about the disclaimer at the beginning of the video portrayed by Lloyd James acy. At other times, yakuza bosses were day following a complaint from Inde- said he received the film from someone Regency attack,” said Hone, who posts to say I wasn’t endorsing it, or saying it in the film, above, being made out to be benevolent patriarchs pendent News & Media, whose material who contacted him anonymously on a videos of crime on his YouTube channel. was factual, as it upset a lot of people. I victimised by ‘the feds’ and the criminal organisation a positive was used without permission. “dead account” on Instagram. “The claims in the film are not my just thought it was an interesting film.” force in society.” While the identify of the film’s He said the yakuza’s involvement financier is unknown, it is assumed that almost killed the Japanese film industry. Kinahan sponsored the film as part of “Audiences stopped watching because a strategy to rehabilitate his reputation it was propaganda. Audiences don’t like it and cast doubt on his involvement in when history is rewritten,” he added. organised crime. Densley said organised criminals have The cartel he controls has already always sought to convince the public they supported the publication of Blood Feud, are “the good guys”. a print-on-demand book that portrayed “The Italian mafia in Naples are hand- him in a sympathetic light. Gardai ing out small loans to business to help have also identified what they describe them get through the pandemic, but it as a small army of internet trolls who always comes with strings attached,” said post favourable content on Twitter, Densley. “Pablo Escobar was another WhatsApp and Facebook about Kinahan, criminal who did this. He wanted to be who is regarded as the richest criminal in a folk hero. Escobar tried very hard to try Ireland, if not in Europe. to preserve his reputation as a man of the The British rapper J Spades has also people.” recorded a song, Major Plans, about The academic said that the most Kinahan, who he claims “helps” lots of compelling aspect of the Regency film people. It has received 1.5 million views is the attempt to portray the Irish govern- on YouTube. ment to be a sinister force, while the “I can’t ever recall a case where a criminals seek to exonerate themselves criminal has done something like this from their involvement in crime. Accord- for PR purposes,” said Brian Sherry, a ing to Densley, this approach is not retired detective inspector who has uncommon for criminals trying to extensive experience of Dublin’s rebrand themselves. underworld. “Irish criminals tend to “We are all aware of the saying that keep a low profile.” gangsters either end up dead or in Security services believe that Kinahan prison, but there’s another story is trying to engage in brand management whereby they claim to have turned their in order to distance himself from orga- backs on crime in order to go legit. People nised crime. Since leaving Ireland in often forget a lot of these people aspire to 2016, he has become a significant figure becoming legit,” he added. in the glitzy world of boxing promotions Densley described the process and event management. whereby criminals try to portray Kinahan was recently appointed a themselves as victims or in a favourable special adviser to KHK Sports, a company Criminals at light as “signalling”. controlled by Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad “Criminals at the very apex of an Al Khalifa, a member of Bahrain’s royal the apex organisation often go to great and expen- family. Last week the gangster issued sive lengths to signal that they’re more a press statement announcing his often go to than what the police say they are, like appointment as a special adviser to KHK spending €500,000 on a film to make Sports and MTK Global to promote great lengths themselves look good. They will get mixed-martial arts events in the Middle involved in charities or associate with East. He is also believed to be playing to signal public figures who give them credibility. a role in setting up a heavyweight unifica- The flip side of this is obviously the fact tion title fight between Tyson Fury, they’re more that these guys are master con artists. part of his MTK Global stable, and “Just as they once deceived the Anthony Joshua. than what the police and their criminal associates, Kinahan is not the first organised there is an element of them that finds crime figure to try to influence public police say it easy to deceive those who buy into opinion and create a new persona the new story. A lot of the traits that through films, books and social media. they are made them successful in crime are also The yakuza of Japan have financed the traits that enable them to infiltrate films that portray bosses as men of the polite society.” people. Pablo Escobar, Will Kinahan manage the Colombian narco-ter- to erase his past and rein- rorist, spent millions on vent himself as a boxing reputation management promoter? He is banned by sponsoring hospitals from entering the United and charitable events States, and he is fearful of while at the same time entering Europe should murdering politicians, he be arrested and extra- police and his rivals. dited. According to James “The Middle East is Densley, a professor of another matter,” pointed criminal justice at the out one gardai familiar Metropolitan State Uni- with the criminal. versity in Minnesota, “He might just have organised crime groups found a place where have often tried to people don’t ask too enhance their reputa- many questions, once tions through such you have enough money means. “In the 1970s and to make friends and buy 1980s, the yakuza bank- influence.” rolled films that cast Kinahan was believed to be the target of the Regency hotel shooting @JohnMooneyST 8 The Sunday Times October 13, 2019 9 NEWSBREXIT CRISIS

ROLLS PRESS/POPPERFOTO Spectre of Leo and Boris revive job losses, flagging hopes of a deal

NOEL MULLEN is many a slip between cup Thursday was and lip, and lots of things that polarised are not in my control.” a red-letter day The mood on the plane as it headed back to Dublin was in the quest for not quite jubilant. The attitude was that the hard a Brexit deal. work was yet to be done. As society and Coveney warned: “Mark my Have Varadkar words, we are not there yet.” On Friday morning, some and Johnson of the officials who travelled to Liverpool with Varadkar done enough? flew to Brussels to liaise with dissidents the EU Brexit taskforce while Justine McCarthy Barnier held a meeting with Stephen Barclay, the UK’s ith its leaded Brexit secretary. Declaring windows and the meeting “constructive”, Security experts predict the wood-panelled Barnier then briefed the 27 walls, the decor ambassadors, including of the hotel Ireland’s Declan Kelleher. economic fallout and ensuing room where They gave him permission to WLeo Varadkar resume talks with the UK. civil unrest from a no-deal Brexit and Boris On Tuesday, Coveney and Johnson pored over a Helen McEntee, the junior compromise formula to minister for European affairs, could spill over into violence on achieve a Brexit deal could be will attend a meeting in described as Churchillian. Luxembourg of the EU’s the border, writes John Mooney While the two leaders general affairs council to teased out potential pitfalls finalise the agenda for the over three intensive hours of council summit of leaders on vor Ferguson has no doubt about Farming is not the only industry at negotiation on Thursday, Thursday and Friday. The the threat posed by Brexit to his risk. Darren Cunningham, who cultivates their officials waited together Brexit withdrawal deal will be livelihood. The sheep and cereal oysters in Carlingford Lough in Co Down, in an anteroom at Thornton at the top of the list. farmer from Markethill, Co Armagh, reckons his business would be destroyed Manor on Merseyside. Now If details of the new believes the agricultural sector in overnight if checkpoints were to return at and again some of them were proposed deal have not been Northern Ireland would be ruined the border. summoned to the meeting nailed down in time for the if the UK left without a deal. “We ship oysters to France on Fridays room to provide information. summit, there will be no great “We would find it difficult to and they arrive on Saturday. If there is The mood, everyone agreed, panic, according to an Irish Ikeep things going,” said Ferguson any delay, it would be a disaster,” said was convivial. source. There will still be 13 who farms 150 acres of land. “The Cunningham, who employs six people. “I “Surreal,” was how one days after the summit before tariffs on cross-border trade would could well see how people will react if official later described the Leo Varadkar and Boris Johnson met at Thornton Manor in northwest England last week to hash out a possible Brexit deal the Brexit clock stops ticking. destroy us. Farmers currently receive they lose their jobs and have nothing to new amity in Anglo-Irish One of the biggest tests 24p [27c] per litre of milk, which means lose. Some would resort to violence.” relations, which had EU without a deal, Brexit’s Northern Ireland backstop border in the Irish Sea. arrangement would not ahead, however, is out of the they are already losing money. If they had This is a view shared by experts within probably reached their consequences for Ireland originally agreed in A red channel would apply become clear until Michel EU’s and Ireland’s control. to pay a further 17p per litre in tariffs, it the intelligence services and in academia, lowest ebb in a quarter of a were already being felt. There December 2017 with Theresa to UK goods entering the Barnier, the EU’s chief Can Johnson navigate a new would finish them,” said Ferguson, of the who say a hard Brexit would create century just 48 hours earlier. would be no payment May, Johnson’s predecessor Republic from Northern negotiator on Brexit, briefed deal through the House of Ulster Farmers’ Union. Ulster’s agri-food security problems that are difficult to The taoiseach had looked increases for pensioners, no as prime minister. Ireland. There would be no the EU’s 27 ambassadors Commons? industry is worth an estimated £5bn and plan for, or even predict, due to their tired in the Dail on Tuesday. A rise in child benefit, and low- In the new version, border checks but there (permanent representatives) Last Tuesday, there was employs 70,000 people. cascading nature. This reasoning is based television camera caught him paid workers would not get a Northern Ireland would have would be provision for spot in Brussels on Friday. speculation that the deadline “It’s not just the dairy sector that on the belief that civil unrest coupled swallowing a yawn as Paschal recommended 30c increase one foot in the UK customs checks anywhere in Ireland Varadkar could hardly for the Brexit withdrawal would be affected,” said Ferguson. “If with an economic shock would encour- Officers deal with and rejected by more nationalists, For the moment, gardai and the PSNI lar, though his team is considering a plan chocolate, it will result in an exponential Donohoe, the finance in the minimum wage. zone and the other in the or Britain. The Stormont conceal his optimism at a agreement would be delayed, there’s no deal, we wouldn’t be able to age people in border communities to a car bomb in especially in border counties. are adopting a “hands-off” approach to deployed to contain the foot and mouth increase in crime, gun violence and illicit minister, delivered his budget “I don’t play dirty,” EU’s. Though it would leave assembly would be allowed a press conference at Liverpool possibly until June 2020. export goods without paying tariffs. It break the law and would erode their Belfast in 1972. How the border will look post-Brexit patrolling the border, which runs for disease outbreak of 2001 in the event of money going into the black economy. speech. That morning Varadkar told RTE News on the EU customs zone, goods vote to end this arrangement John Lennon Airport on There is notably less talk this would be the cause of financial night- confidence in policing. Analysts fear a and how the EU will protect its single 360km between Lough Foyle and Car- an unforeseen emergency. Harris has told the Department of Jus- Spectator magazine, of which Tuesday night, the crossing the Irish border in by a majority vote of cross- Thursday evening, however. weekend of the need for an mares for all of us.” A no-deal Brexit might further polarise no-deal Brexit market is the most contentious issue now lingford Lough. The two forces have no What is the greatest security threat the tice that this would undermine policing, Johnson is a former editor, insinuation being that either direction would be community MLAs. This “I think it is possible for us to extension. If there is a no-deal Brexit, Ferguson communities and encourage a new could encourage facing Britain and Ireland. Westminster plans to police checkpoints on the hun- gardai will face in the event of a no-deal ruin local businesses and help finance had reproduced a written someone in London was now governed by EU rules. arrangement would mean no come to an agreement, to Johnson attends his first also fears that sinister forces might try to generation to embrace extremist ideolo- a new generation has said it will not erect any infrastruc- dreds of road crossings. Brexit? In confidential briefings, Harris terrorist groups. Brexit briefing from a doing so after Ireland and the Goods from Northern party having a veto. have a treaty agreed to allow leaders’ summit as prime take advantage of the ensuing chaos. “I gies. Northern Ireland voted to remain by to embrace ture, but legislation has been changed to Simon Byrne, the PSNI chief consta- has told the government it will come from Few disagree with Harris. Pat Curtis, a ‘Downing Street source’. It EU had dismissed Johnson’s Ireland could travel freely to Whether the EU would the UK to leave the EU in an minister this week. If all goes would have concerns that other elements a majority of 56%-44%, with the result extremist ideals enable stop-and-search near the border. ble, has publicly said his officers will not organised crime. If gangs who smuggle former UK customs officer, said crime blamed the taoiseach for the latest proposal. This was for Britain through a green consent to resume orderly fashion, and to have according to the plan he and would make use of the situation for politi- roughly divided along sectarian lines. The Irish government plan involves cus- man border posts. Drew Harris, the garda tobacco, alcohol and fuel start smuggling gangs would fund terrorist activities stalemate in EU-UK talks and Northern Ireland to leave the channel, thus getting around negotiations on the basis of a that done by the end of Varadkar have devised, it cal reasons,” he said. Brexit was supported by more unionists toms bases with checks by mobile patrols. commissioner, has said something simi- everyday goods, such as nappies and simply to disrupt customs operations. “If predicted they would grind to EU customs union along the DUP’s rejection of a half-in/half-out customs October,” he said. “But there should also be his last. they do this, it would ensure fraud and a halt by the weekend with no with Britain, but continue to smuggling were lower priority,” he said. hope of reviving them. abide by EU single market Jonny Byrne, a lecturer in criminology “Varadkar doesn’t want to rules for agricultural and at Ulster University, agrees. Like Harris, negotiate,” said the source, manufactured products. In he suspects organised crime will pose the who was widely believed to Dublin’s and Brussels’ eyes, single biggest problem. “The organised be Dominic Cummings, the proposal did not make the crime architecture is already there, sup- Johnson’s chief adviser. prospect of a border in plying the market. Once Britain leaves Ireland any more palatable. the EU, Brexit will create a much bigger Arlene Foster, the DUP market for them — it’s just a matter of the leader, accused the Irish criminals expanding it,” he said. government of trying “to trap Byrne points out that the full conse- Northern Ireland in the EU quences of Brexit will not become appar- customs union for ever, ent until it happens. “In security terms, where Dublin, rather than the Brexit is still an abstract concept which no Can Johnson United Kingdom’s elected one understands, as it hasn’t happened representatives, could be in yet. It is almost so complex, understand- navigate a the driving seat”. ing its security consequences is impossi- When news came that the ble. Security issues in Northern Ireland new deal taoiseach was to meet the are like dominoes. Something happens prime minister in northwest and there is a response, and then there’s a through the England at lunchtime on response to that, and so on,” said Byrne Thursday, there was little Those familiar with paramilitary House of expectation that the groups fear that Brexit has given them a encounter would be anything new lease of life. “The threat posed by Commons? more than a “look, I tried” dissident republicans, to a degree, is the photo-op for Johnson. So same as it’s always been, but Brexit has what changed? provided them with a major platform,” As Varadkar and his Brexit said Byrne. “It has created questions “Varadkar was keen on kitchen cabinet flew to where there have been none. What talking before the [Hilary] Liverpool, there was a happens if customs or the police are Benn Act, when he thought “tentative sense of where [the attacked? What about the border?” the choice would be ‘new negotiations] could go”, The New IRA said as much last April deal or no deal’. Since the according to one Irish source. when its army council declared it would Benn Act passed he has gone The travelling party included be remiss not to capitalise on the oppor- very cold, and in the last Brian Murphy, the taoiseach’s tunity afforded by Brexit. The paramili- week the official channels chief of staff; Martin Fraser, tary group, thought to be growing in size, and the back channels have secretary-general of the has carried out six attacks so far this year. also gone cold. Department of the Taoiseach; Brexit may also serve to revive para- “Varadkar has also gone Helen Blake, a senior policy military groups such as the Ulster Volun- back on his commitments — adviser; John Callinan, a teer Force and Ulster Defence Associa- he said if we moved on second secretary-general in tion, which are using the debate around manufactured goods then he the taoiseach’s department the issue to recruit new members. This would also move, but instead who leads the Brexit team; could lead to civil disorders and riots, if he just attacked us publicly.” and Nick Miller, the not outright terrorism. In Dublin, the briefing was government press secretary. William Matchett, a retired member of viewed as propaganda. Irish and British officials the PSNI who is now a senior researcher Simon Coveney, the tanaiste, had worked on “a rough at the Kennedy Institute for Conflict Pre- said “an element of that outline” of a potential vention at Maynooth University, believes briefing was to put pressure solution in advance of the loyalist groups will inevitably seek to on Ireland, put pressure on meeting. This provided the assert themselves if there is any dilution the taoiseach”. When Donald basis for Johnson’s and of the north’s status within the UK. Tusk, the president of the Varadkar’s three hours of “Loyalism is now about creating issues European Council, tweeted discussions. where there are none. Whether it’s cam- that “what’s at stake is not The prime minister’s paigns about huge bonfires in housing winning some stupid blame delegation consisted of estates, or civil protests against what they game”, Coveney tweeted his Cummings; Mark Sedwill, the perceive to be a bad Brexit deal, they are agreement. cabinet secretary; Edward looking to create issues. Brexit also suits The same morning, the Lister, Johnson’s chief their agenda,” said Matchett. The PSNI say Tory-friendly Daily Telegraph strategic adviser; and John loyalist groups are actively involved in published the findings of an Bew, a member of the gun crime, racketeering and drug dealing. opinion poll that it had Downing Street policy unit. Loyalists, says Matchett, are already commissioned from ComRes. At their conclusion, the sharing content about Brexit online, and It showed that barely half the two sides agreed to keep some are threatening to organise protests British public (56%) would silent about the detail of the similar to those in 2013 after Belfast city consider it Johnson’s fault if discussions. In a joint council decided to restrict flying the Brexit did not happen by the statement, the leaders said Union Jack to designated days. The flags October 31 deadline. By they had concentrated on the issue became a rallying point for people contrast, 44% said they would challenges of customs and in loyalist communities, some of whom blame the taoiseach. This consent. “Both continue to vented their grievances by rioting. rose to 77% among Brexit believe a deal is in “Could loyalists get people out to Party supporters. everybody’s interest. They protest in large numbers once again and As Varadkar’s finance agreed that they could see a could they expand beyond east Belfast?” minister stood beside him in pathway to a possible deal.” asked Matchett. “I just don’t know, but I the Dail, explaining that this There is conjecture that think they might try.” year’s budget was predicated the new proposal envisages a @JohnMooneyST on Britain crashing out of the refined version of the The Sunday Times November 17, 2019 9 NEWS Why I GETTY attacked the Quinn companies A saboteur involved in the campaign of violent intimidation against QIH gives John Mooney an insight into his motives

t is the dead of night in the wilds of The saboteurs would throw metal out of the company and get it back Co Fermanagh, and a man who chains from the ground at overhead wires for Seán Quinn,” says Diesel, who admits to being part of the long- to cause them to short-circuit. This only suggested that the keys to the vehicle may running campaign of sabotage temporarily stopped production at the have been removed from a company safe against companies once owned by factories, however, so they were asked to box earlier. the former billionaire Seán Quinn is begin cutting down electricity poles Running parallel to this were cam- reflecting on the predicament he using chainsaws. paigns on Facebook by Concerned Irish now faces. “We were told which poles to cut Citizens (CIC), which condemned the “We were used to do their dirty down. He [a named person] told us to cut actions of the banks. Public meetings and work. Do I regret getting involved? right through the stay of the pole, or cut protests were also organised to criticise Yes, I do. It was never about money. No them down the middle, halfway through. the banks, sometimes attended by those Ione was paid,” he says. “We were told it There were no phones used to organise involved in the sabotage. was all to get the companies back for this. He would call to the house to arrange Diesel is careful not to identify others Seán Quinn and his family. Around these things,” says Diesel. who helped carry out attacks but insists parts, you stand by your neighbours and The organisers seemed to have access none of his group was involved in torch- you don’t steal their property. We stood to information on what electricity cables ing O’Brien’s car outside his home in Co by Quinn.” to target. Meath, or responsible for sending bullets He is middle-aged, of medium height, For every attack which took place, five and funeral wreaths to business people and his only distinguishing feature is a more were aborted. On one night, his interested in buying the company. strong border accent. Thoroughly group ventured out in the darkness to The attacks were usually organised by immersed in the culture of insubordina- attack electricity poles on farmland near word of mouth. Planning meetings were about QIH and its directors. The signs tion, he is not saying. He claims most “Most of the attacks were organised by tion that exists in border communities, Kinawley. “We went out to cut poles and held in a farmhouse owned by one of the describe the board members as “money- local people knew Cyril McGuinness, one certain people who used us to do their we will give him the pseudonym Diesel. one of the men directing it shouted ‘stop’, people directing the sabotage, who occa- grabbing traitors”. of the criminals suspected of involve- dirty work,” Diesel concludes. Over the course of two interviews with because they supplied electricity to local sionally participated in the raids them- Diesel says he had no involvement in ment in the abduction, to see around “They stayed in QIH after Quinn left. The Sunday Times last week, the man dairy farms. The local farmers wouldn’t selves. These included the arson attack the more serious attacks on the com- the area, but would have been wary They are rotten to the core. We were used explains why people along the Cavan- have been able to milk the cows. It was that caused extensive damage to an iso- pany’s executives, or the kidnapping of of him. McGuinness, 54, died of a by these selfish people who now think Fermanagh border involved themselves called off,” he says. lated electricity sub-station near a wind Kevin Lunney, the QIH chief executive, suspected heart attack during a police they can walk away — but they are mis- in a violent campaign that began after the Diesel and the other men involved farm on Slieve Rushen near Derrylin, from outside his home in Fermanagh. If raid 10 days ago at a house in Buxton, taken. This has a way to go yet.” banks seized control of Quinn’s business were careful not to get caught. They used which Diesel helped set alight in Novem- he does know who organised the abduc- Derbyshire. @JohnMooneyST empire in 2011. He says he knows nothing a range of different chainsaws after they ber 2012. of a shadowy paymaster, but claims the were told the Police Service of Northern “We met behind the sheds at his farm- attacks were directed by a small circle of Ireland (PSNI) had begun spraying an house that night and set off across the people, some of whom are part of the invisible chemical marker on poles, fields. There was a lot of talk beforehand. staff at Quinn Industrial Holdings (QIH). which tagged any blade that came into One of their wives was there. The keys Why is he talking now? He suggests it contact with them. were supplied to us so we could get past is because the Dublin-based media do Some acts of intimidation involved the rail [outside fence] around the station not understand what is going on, but physical attacks on the factories them- and then get inside,” he says. have become fixated on a narrative selves, using heavy goods vehicles to “We used a quad to transport the petrol across the fields. When we got inside the station, he [a named person] used these big spanners to take the bolts off the electrical equipment. The petrol was poured into it and then set on fire. When she went up, we all went back to his house. It caused huge damage.” The purpose of the first series of attacks, between 2011 and late 2014, was to prevent Wallace from selling off Quinn’s assets to third parties. There was a temporary lull in 2015 when QIH bought some of Quinn’s cement and building materials factories for €90m with the backing of the American investors Bri- gade Capital, Contrarian Capital and Silver Point Capital, but the attacks soon started again. Although QIH hired Quinn as a con- sultant to help run the business, the business was targeted four days after its founder’s return in January 2015. On that occasion, a lorry parked outside its head office was set ablaze. about one paymaster. “There’s a lot Police forensic experts This attack was carried out in an more to this story than meets the eye, examine a burnt out lorry attempt to confuse the gardai and PSNI and the dogs in the street all know what’s near the Quinn Group HQ about the group’s motives for the earlier going on and who was behind it,” he says. incidents. When Quinn lost control of his busi- The attacks against Quinn’s other com- ness empire, Anglo Irish Bank appointed panies near Derrylin continued, though Kieran Wallace of KPMG as a receiver to not at the same intensity. Security staff at oversee the sale of company assets. the wind farm on Slieve Rushen were Wallace in turn appointed Paul O’Brien to threatened by masked men, while boul- manage the businesses until they could ders were used to block the mountainous be sold. road leading to it. The road was used by Attacks started almost immediately You stand engineers who serviced the turbines. and were attributed to locals supposedly Many of these incidents were allegedly spontaneously “outraged” at the treat- by your carried out by people who were QIH staff. ment of Quinn and his family by Anglo. By late 2015, the relationship between The first act of violence involved crashing neighbours the local people who carried out the a dumper truck into the head offices of attacks and those who secretly directed the Quinn Group, and it soon escalated. and you don’t them soured when it became known that Electricity poles that supplied energy to Quinn would not be taking back control Quinn’s glass bottle factory were dam- steal their of QIH. The businessman had become aged or cut down at night, while isolated embroiled in a bitter row with QIH and power sub-stations were set ablaze. property subsequently left in May 2016, saying he By his own admission, Diesel took part had been given assurances he would be in various attacks that cost the company allowed to run the business but promises hundreds of thousands of euros, and he had been broken. acknowledges he could face a significant crash into buildings. As before, those “The people who got us involved at the prison sentence if arrested, charged and involved were instructed by the same start continued working in QIH after convicted. people who had information on how to Quinn left. They think no one knows “I don’t really know Seán Quinn — I avoid detection. The attackers were sup- about their involvement in the attacks. met him twice — but around these parts plied with the keys of company vehicles They think no one will say anything in people don’t take what doesn’t belong to and told they were unlikely to be caught case they incriminate themselves,” says them,” he says. “I was asked, would I on CCTV. Diesel, who suggests this is among the help? And I did. So did everyone else Three days before Christmas 2011, reasons why the attacks on QIH have involved. It was all to get the companies Diesel and his accomplices were told to recommenced. back for Seán Quinn and his children.” use a rigid lorry to smash into the head- The second tranche of attacks, focus- During his interviews, Diesel gives quarters of the Quinn Group. The staff ing not just on QIH but its board of direct- vivid accounts of how he would meet canteen had to be demolished after- ors, commenced before Quinn’s depar- accomplices at remote cattle sheds and wards, such was the damage they caused. ture and have continued since. He has farms before setting off across fields to “The keys to the lorry used in the repeatedly condemned all attacks on the vandalise or cut down electricity poles. attack were left in the dash. There were business and its staff. Some of these This was strategic, as they carried power people on watchout. We rammed the attacks were carried out by Diesel and his to Quinn’s factories and would make lorry into the canteen and crashed it. Our accomplices, who sabotaged machinery potential buyers wary. instructions were to drive Paul O’Brien and put signs up warning local people