Quinn tries to write the wrongs in new book

Fallen tycoon's version of how his business empire collapsed

- PAT FLANAGAN

ANY account of the collapse of the Irish economy has to include the role played by failed billionaire Sean Quinn.

His gamble on Anglo- the world's most toxic bank - not only led to the destruction of his own business empire but cost the Irish taxpayer billions of euro.

Now Co Fermanagh-born Mr Quinn is telling his side of the story in his book - In My Own Words.

Published by Red Stripe, it is available to order online and will be in bookshops in the coming days.

The 75-year-old former tycoon claims he is correcting some of the falsehoods propagated against him since the crash.

Mr Quinn admitted he made plenty of mistakes but also sets out to highlight the wrongs perpetrated by others he trusted but who were never held to account.

He maintains he was scapegoated for the banking crisis a claim taxpayers who paid off his huge debts will find hard to accept.

The public are reminded of Mr Quinn's financial downfall every time they take out an insurance policy as they pay a 2% levy on every motor and home policy.

They will do so for the next two decades to cover the catastrophic losses run up by Quinn Insurance.

Sean Quinn's life story is a rollercoaster ride from unimaginable riches to total ruin of his own making.

But readers will also find it hard to have sympathy for a man who would pay €100,000 for his daughter's wedding cake and gamble away €2 billion on a busted bank claiming he is the victim.