09/04/2010
Garda Could Be Called As Quinn Group 'Short'
The Quinn Insurance saga has taken another twist with a possibility the case may be referred to the Irish police, An Garda Siochana.
There have been allegations that the company is some €100 million 'short' to cover its insurance policies.
The Financial Regulator may refer alleged breaches of insurance regulations and company law unearthed in its investigation to the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement and the Garda.
Regulatory staff have collected information detailing the failure of Quinn Insurance to meet the threshold for the amount of money an insurer must hold in reserve to cover potential claims.
Lawyers at the regulator will be consulted early next week to determine whether fresh evidence is needed to proceed with a formal complaint or to refer matters to other State bodies for further investigation or potential action.
However, owner Sean Quinn, who was listed in the Sunday Times Rich List in 2008, has claimed the company has "plenty of money".
Mr Quinn made the claim in reaction to a proposal by Anglo Irish Bank to invest €700m in the company, which would see the bank become majority stockholder in the company.
Under the plan, €150m would be injected into Quinn Insurance and €550m would be used to pay off bondholders.
Speaking on RTÉ's Prime Time programme, Mr Quinn said: "The Quinn Group has plenty of money. We don't need money, with regard to solvency and a requirement to pay claims."
He added the group was "cash rich" and had money in the bank.
According to Mr Quinn, the company had assets of up to £1bn to pay claims and another €400m surplus to cover solvency.
The Financial Regulator has been onsite in the firm since last week, overseeing its actions and working with the new management.
Since stepping in at the end of March after the High Court appointed joint provisional administrators to the firm, the regulator has caused serious concern among the 600 workers at the company who service the UK from the Enniskillen base.
The regulator said it had directed Quinn Insurance to cease writing new business in the UK to prevent the company suffering further financial losses from its "currently unprofitable UK business".
Some 1,430 employees out of a 2,800-strong workforce at Quinn Insurance are working in the Northern Ireland and GB-based insurance business at Quinn's offices in Dublin, Cavan, Enniskillen and Manchester.
(DW/BMCC)
There have been allegations that the company is some €100 million 'short' to cover its insurance policies.
The Financial Regulator may refer alleged breaches of insurance regulations and company law unearthed in its investigation to the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement and the Garda.
Regulatory staff have collected information detailing the failure of Quinn Insurance to meet the threshold for the amount of money an insurer must hold in reserve to cover potential claims.
Lawyers at the regulator will be consulted early next week to determine whether fresh evidence is needed to proceed with a formal complaint or to refer matters to other State bodies for further investigation or potential action.
However, owner Sean Quinn, who was listed in the Sunday Times Rich List in 2008, has claimed the company has "plenty of money".
Mr Quinn made the claim in reaction to a proposal by Anglo Irish Bank to invest €700m in the company, which would see the bank become majority stockholder in the company.
Under the plan, €150m would be injected into Quinn Insurance and €550m would be used to pay off bondholders.
Speaking on RTÉ's Prime Time programme, Mr Quinn said: "The Quinn Group has plenty of money. We don't need money, with regard to solvency and a requirement to pay claims."
He added the group was "cash rich" and had money in the bank.
According to Mr Quinn, the company had assets of up to £1bn to pay claims and another €400m surplus to cover solvency.
The Financial Regulator has been onsite in the firm since last week, overseeing its actions and working with the new management.
Since stepping in at the end of March after the High Court appointed joint provisional administrators to the firm, the regulator has caused serious concern among the 600 workers at the company who service the UK from the Enniskillen base.
The regulator said it had directed Quinn Insurance to cease writing new business in the UK to prevent the company suffering further financial losses from its "currently unprofitable UK business".
Some 1,430 employees out of a 2,800-strong workforce at Quinn Insurance are working in the Northern Ireland and GB-based insurance business at Quinn's offices in Dublin, Cavan, Enniskillen and Manchester.
(DW/BMCC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 April 2011
Quinn Barred From Own Insurance Firm
A leading Irish entrepreneur is to loose control of the insurance business he personally founded after it ran into financial problems. Sean Quinn and his family will no longer have any role in the management of the Quinn Group following a restructure.
Quinn Barred From Own Insurance Firm
A leading Irish entrepreneur is to loose control of the insurance business he personally founded after it ran into financial problems. Sean Quinn and his family will no longer have any role in the management of the Quinn Group following a restructure.
01 November 2012
Quinns Due Back In Court
Sean Quinn and his son are due back in a Dublin court later as the inquiry continues as to whether or not the former billionaires have complied with court orders. Sean Quinn was once the richest man in Ireland, but declared himself bankrupt last year.
Quinns Due Back In Court
Sean Quinn and his son are due back in a Dublin court later as the inquiry continues as to whether or not the former billionaires have complied with court orders. Sean Quinn was once the richest man in Ireland, but declared himself bankrupt last year.
05 December 2024
AbbeyAutoline Completes Third Major Acquisition Of 2024
AbbeyAutoline, Northern Ireland's largest insurance broker, has announced the acquisition of Coleraine-based Wallace Insurance Brokers' customer book of business. The deal marks the third acquisition by AbbeyAutoline in 2024, following the purchases of Lisnaskea-based Martin Carey Insurance and Downpatrick-based Down Insurances.
AbbeyAutoline Completes Third Major Acquisition Of 2024
AbbeyAutoline, Northern Ireland's largest insurance broker, has announced the acquisition of Coleraine-based Wallace Insurance Brokers' customer book of business. The deal marks the third acquisition by AbbeyAutoline in 2024, following the purchases of Lisnaskea-based Martin Carey Insurance and Downpatrick-based Down Insurances.
06 May 2010
Quinn Steps Back As Stormont Steps In
Just hours after news that Sean Quinn is to stand down from the board of the troubled Quinn Group, a Stormont nominee is to step in to co-ordinate the NI Government's response to the situation at Quinn Insurance.
Quinn Steps Back As Stormont Steps In
Just hours after news that Sean Quinn is to stand down from the board of the troubled Quinn Group, a Stormont nominee is to step in to co-ordinate the NI Government's response to the situation at Quinn Insurance.
16 April 2010
Quinn Workers Future 'Priority'
There have been further calls to re-open Quinn Insurance for normal trading. SDLP MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Tommy Gallagher said the retention of the 600 jobs at Enniskillen has to be the top priority regardless of who is in control of Quinn Insurance.
Quinn Workers Future 'Priority'
There have been further calls to re-open Quinn Insurance for normal trading. SDLP MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Tommy Gallagher said the retention of the 600 jobs at Enniskillen has to be the top priority regardless of who is in control of Quinn Insurance.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.