Seán Quinn has said launching his autobiography at the Slieve Russell Hotel in Ballyconnell this evening (Thursday) will be “emotional”.

Since the release of his autobiography, which was first previewed in last week’s Impartial Reporter, it has been a busy time for the one-time billionaire.

Newspaper, television and radio interviews followed, as did invitations to chat shows, but Mr. Quinn said he is glad the book is out and now “people can make up their own minds”.

“I suppose there are three groups – supporters of Seán Quinn, neutrals who don’t know which way to turn because they didn’t know who to believe, and then the anti-Seán Quinn.”

He claimed he is “not writing for the anti-Quinn” but the “people that supported me and the neutrals”.

“I think it’s important to give them a proper narrative of what exactly happened,” he said, although that claim has been challenged by some.

Despite fears his book will increase tensions in the Border region, Mr. Quinn said the response from “those who have read it” has been “100 per cent positive”.

“But not many have completed it yet but for those who have – I’m not talking about critics, I’m talking about ordinary Joe Soaps that wouldn’t know much about what’s going on – they just can’t believe it.

“They are asking themselves the question and they are asking me, ‘Can all this be true what was done to you?’

“They are just sort of in shock at the way the whole thing happened.”

Referring to the figures published in the book, Mr. Quinn said people may disagree with his view but the figures have never been disputed: “All they have to do is go by the facts in the books, which are the figures which have never been disputed.

“And forget about Seán Quinn, just read the facts and then they can make up their own minds.”

When asked if the book increases tensions in the area, he answered: “I suppose the simple facts of it are justice – I think in most cases, justice needs to be served equally.”

He did not want to say too much about former employees, either other than they are leaving an “awful legacy”.

“I think the majority of the local communities are beginning to realise over the last year or two anyway what they have done, so I think it’s only right that people understand it,” he claimed.

This evening will see Mr. Quinn step foot in the Slieve Russell, close to his home, for the first time in several years.

“It will be an emotional night for me being back in the Slieve Russell among my own supporters, so I can see an upside to it and I can see a downside to it.

“I can imagine I will be quite emotional on the night, being back in the Slieve Russell among my friends.

“It’s up to the public and those interested in reading it. [It’s] up to them to make up their minds after that. I won’t be trying to influence them anymore.

“I’ve told my true story in the book so it’s entirely up to them,” he said.