The troubled Quinn Group is once again under fire over the controversial gas fired power plant at Toomes near Louth Village following an major explosion at a similar plant in upstate New York which, according to the Argus, "was the scene of a massive explosion last Sunday which left 50 feared dead". In the event hundreds were injured but thankfully there were only five fatalities. According to an item in NewsTime, "There are so many unanswered questions: What led to this disaster? What were the contributing factors? Could anything have been done to prevent it?" (State Governor) Rell said. "These are the questions that we must answer now, not only for the sake of the victims and their families but to avoid tragedies like this in the future."

These same questions equally apply to the Toomes plant, which may be at even greater risk due to the enclosed hollow where it is located. Furthermore there are human dwellings and a national school within a few hundred metres of this plant. Given the farcical testimony from the Fire Chief at the oral hearing, who was unable to explain how he would deal with a fire on the site if an explosion damaged the 5000 litre fire water storage tank, and the complacent attitude of the HSA representative, all approvals for this plant should be suspended pending a safety review.

It is interesting to note that the Quinn Group indicated during the oral hearing that it had no plans for further developments in the area, and indeed the conditions imposed by ABP would appear to reflect the boards concerns in this area. No mention was made of a second plant, in this case an Open Cycle Gas Turbine plant mentioned by Mott McDonald on their web site:

"2007 MMP completed the feasibility studies, technical studies, Eirgrid application, the Environmental Impact assessment, tender documents and planning application for the Phase 1 450MW CCGT at Toomes in Louth. The Client was Quinn Energy.

2007 MMP completed the feasibility studies, technical studies, Eirgrid application, the Environmental Impact assessment and will soon submit the planning application for a 180MW OCGT also at Toomes in Louth. The Client is confidential."

Could it be that the second client is also Quinn, contrary to what was suggested at the oral hearing. In many other matters, notably its dealings with Anglo Irish Bank, Quinn has continued to refuse to fully disclose its exposure according to newspaper reports, to the extent that "Mr Tolan (CEO VHI) called for the full extent of Mr Quinn’s losses on Anglo to be disclosed, saying that they “should be in the public domain” as they were “relevant for people who buy their products”.