Broke billionaire Sean Quinn says jail scares him but he remains proud

Describes Anglo Irish Bank as the worst company in the history of Ireland

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Sean Quinn

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Formerly Ireland’s richest man, Sean Quinn has said he fears the thought of going to prison, but that he would not shy away from it should the time come.

BBC News reports on Ireland’s most famous businessman who could be facing jail time. Quinn’s son is currently behind bars and his nephew has a warrant out for his arrest after failing to adhere to a court order that prohibited them from placing €500 million of overseas property assets beyond the reach of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation.

Quinn said "I believe we have been made scapegoats from day one and Anglo has used this situation."

Speaking with Shannonside Radio, Quinn said: "This is the best thing that ever happened to Anglo because for two or three years prior to the Quinn situation coming up, they were the most hated company in the history of the state.”

"Now all of a sudden, they're [Anglo] being seen as the good boys and claiming taxpayers' money back from the Quinns while getting the limelight taken away from them.”

"I feel it's an extraordinary situation because if you were to go a little bit further down the line, Anglo are the greatest losers in the history of the state. The worst company in the history of the state is owning and managing one of the best ones."

"They are doing everything in their power to destroy us and they've done a damn good job of it."

Quinn’s son Sean Jr has begun his prison sentence, while his nephew Peter Darragh Quinn, who failed to appear for his sentencing, has a warrant out for his arrest. The High Court in Dublin is set to hear an appeal from Sean Jr in October.

Sean Quinn Sr said that while his nephew Peter appeared to have a desperate fear of prison, that he himself wouldn’t shy away from a sentencing should it be necessary.

Quinn explained, "If you've been running a business for 38 years, you're approaching your 66th birthday, you've never owed a man a penny or done anyone any grievance in your life, and you feel hard done-by and try to protect yourself and your family, but go to prison, well if that's the society we're living in, I'm happy to accept that.”

"Do I think it's wrong? Am I afraid of it? Yes I am. Will I back off it? Will I lose my pride? I won't.”

"I was never one to run away from trouble - I intend to continue to fight my corner and try to redeem our reputation in some way," he said.

"It's very difficult when you see the PR campaign that Anglo have built up against us. A lot of the media would be very anti-Quinn and have fallen hook, line and sinker for the Anglo story where they are the good guys.”

"If Anglo feels it hasn't done enough damage to me already by taking my money, my company, my reputation, if they want to finish it off by putting me in prison, then so be it - I'll accept that."

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