Target Express Accused Of 'Hiding' Assets

SIPTU members formerly employed in the Target Express group of businesses have expressed concern that the company’s owner, Seamus McBrien, has attempted to place assets beyond the reach of liquidators.

The members have drawn attention to the removal of vehicles owned by the company from its depot in Clones, Co. Monaghan, since its closure on Monday (27th August), to premises controlled by associates of McBrien.

Target Express was the haulage subsidiary of College Freight, which was placed into liquidation in the Republic and administration in Northern Ireland at the end of August after its owner, Seamus McBrien, failed to make essential payments to the Revenue Commissioners.

The company closed owing workers wages and without making three months worth of social insurance contributions and PAYE payments to Revenue on behalf of its employees.

College Freight employed almost 400 workers but only a small number were confidential SIPTU members in a company whose management refused its employees collective bargaining rights.

SIPTU member Brian Mac Uaid, a driver at the Target Express depot in Clones, Co. Monaghan, said the collapse of the company had come as shock to workers.

"Management was always talking about cut backs but that was normal enough. The first sign we had of major problems was when the diesel account for drivers at the Clones depot was frozen on the Wednesday prior to the closure but as this had happened before we still hoped things would be ok."

On Saturday (25th August), Mac Uaid checked his Internet banking account and found that his week’s wages had not transferred as usual. "That was when I knew something was certainly up. On the Monday the wages had still not been transferred. I went to the depot where the management continued to claim we would be paid. He was using emotional blackmail on the drivers that were out on deliveries saying that if they didn’t complete them they would be responsible for the company closing."

Between the company ceasing trading on the evening of Monday (27th August), and a meeting between workers and the appointed liquidators on Thursday (30th August), a number of vehicles were removed from the Clones depot and have since appeared on premises controlled by associates of McBrien.

McBrien played an active role in the Concerned Irish Businesses group set up to support businessman Sean Quinn following the imprisonment of his son for contempt of court. Two Co. Fermangh businessmen apparently also share a dislike for worker organisations.

Mc Uaid said McBrien "was absolutely against union membership. Around eight workers in the Clones Depot joined the union three years ago following a number of issues we had with management. We decided we needed some back up because management was clearly intent on walking all over us. However, the company refused to deal directly with SIPTU representatives."

(CD)