The Bishop of Kilmore Dr Leo O’Reilly has urged people to pray for the 900 Quinn Insurance workers set to lose their jobs. Bishop O’Reilly’s call came after last weekend’s announcement that the embattled Quinn Group is to sell their insurance branch resulting in almost 900 redundancies.
Speaking at the weekend Dr O’Reilly said, “this is a severe blow to the people involved, their families and the local economy.”
He added, “I am asking that special prayers be said at masses throughout the Diocese of Kilmore this week.”
The diocese of Kilmore covers most of County Cavan and includes parishes in County Fermanagh.
Of the 900 job losses, 226 will go in Cavan and 179 will be axed in Enniskillen in County Fermanagh.
Bishop O’Reilly added, “We pray also for the viability of the remaining jobs in Quinn insurance which, it was announced today, is going to be sold. I ask the private sector and relevant State agencies to prioritise Cavan, Fermanagh, Leitrim, Sligo and Meath in terms of offering new employment opportunities to this skilled workforce.”
“The announcement not only directly affects Quinn workers but in addition it jeopardises thousands of ancillary jobs that have been created since the late 1990’s to support the services offered by Quinn motor insurance.”
“The economic progress experienced over the last decade in these counties is due in no small part to the Quinn group of companies. It is incumbent on public representatives to continue to seek a commitment from government to support these workers by every means possible. With the economy now in recession our community needs such support today more than ever.”
SIC: CIN