Sean Quinn’s eldest daughter has been sacked from Quinn Insurance for not turning up to work – even though she claims she was on maternity leave.

Cita Quinn has hit back, claiming the sacking was an "unlawful, discriminatory" termination of her employment, according to the Irish Independent. She has threatened legal action unless allowed to return to work by July 19.

Cita Quinn has not been at work since May last year, the newspaper says. Her father, Sean Quinn, lost control of Quinn Insurance in after Irish regulators seized control of the business last year.

In a statement last night, the insurer's administrators said: "Quinn Insurance, as a responsible employer, will make no comment in relation to any particular employee matter.

"Quinn Insurance has clear employment polices and standards, which strictly adhere to relevant laws of the land."