One time billionaire Sean Quinn fought back tears on Tuesday night claiming he had been “stabbed in the back” by people he had trusted when he was ousted from the empire he ran for over 40 years in 2016.

With his wife and some of his children also in attendance, a tearful Mr. Quinn told an emotionally charged public meeting held in Ballyconnell how efforts were being made to keep his business ever from being returned to his family. He claimed assurances were made that this was the end goal and what the Quinn family and the local community believed would happen.

In unprecedented scenes, Mr. Quinn’s wife Patricia even broke her silence when she described times when people they had trusted had came into their home, telling her not to worry, that they were going to get the company back for her family but she believed when this was put to them they really said “f**k Patricia Quinn”.

Violence, intimidation and mistrust have become bywords in this ongoing saga as tensions simmered and boiled over in the Border region.

In the past there has been destruction of property, death threats and even a pig’s head dumped on the doorstep of an executive.

Before Mr. Quinn spoke, documentation was circulated, with pieces of information and correspondence.

Enda Smith from the organisers Cavan, Fermanagh, Leitrim, Border Community Group, opened the meeting giving a history of the group and why it was set up and the various meetings it was involved in to restore the Quinn Group to the Quinn family.

Mr. Quinn dismissed the claims he had received a “golden handshake” to leave the company but in fact he had been sacked, with his son Sean Quin Junior and son in law, Niall McPartland, reading out what he said was correspondence between the family and management.

Details of his working conditions up until he left in 2016 were read out, describing the lack of input Mr. Quinn had in the company as well as the concerns he had raised about the need for investment in the company.

Mr. Quinn also accused the current management of running the company into the ground, a point strongly disputed by Quinn Industrial Holdings.

After Mr. Quinn spoke to the floor, audience members were invited to ask questions or give their opinions on the situation.

Loyalty for the Quinn family was witnessed in the many people who stood up to speak highly of Mr. Quinn.

Although there was no indication that this would happen in the near future, Mr. Quinn did say that he was sure he was the only man for the job in returning the Quinn Group back to former glories. He added that his latest venture Quinnbet was going strong and doing well.

Sinn Fein councillor for Erne West Barry Doherty was present and praised Mr. Quinn for coming to the meeting and pointed out that there were people invited who did not attend. He wished him the very best and described him as a “leader” and commended him on the work that he and his family have done.

A spokesman for Quinn Industrial Holdings explained why management did not attend the meeting: “Management from the company did not attend the meeting, which unfortunately appeared to be set on airing inaccurate representations of the company’s prospects.

“Quinn Industrial Holdings DAC reported a 59 per cent increase in pre-tax profits last year, and this year has seen a continuation of the trend of increased turnover, profits, investment and employment. Due to the hard work of the company’s 830 staff the company’s long-term future is bright.”

Commenting on the meeting the Cavan, Fermanagh, Leitrim, Border Community Group said: “The meeting can only be described as an overwhelming success and we have no doubt it has not only sent a resounding message to the Quinn Building Products and Quinn Business Retention Company directors but also directly to the American bond holders.

“By insulting us, the local community and the work force by not having the common decency to attend this public meeting and address their concerns, they have shown contempt for us all.”