The High Court has made an order winding up two related meat companies - Birr Meat Processors Limited and Prue and David Rudd and Family Limited - with debts of more than €700,000 and €328,000 respectively.

When appointing Mr Ken Fennell as official liquidator, Ms Justice Carroll dismissed as unfounded a number of allegations that had been made against Mr Fennell, who was appointed provisional liquidator, in relation to the conduct to date of the liquidation.

Both companies were said to be insolvent and unable to pay their debts.

The directors had sought to have Mr Fennell appointed as liquidator but Mr Fennell's proposed appointment was opposed by Mr Peter O'Connor, of O'Connor Meats, and by Mr Joe Hayes of Garbally Manufacturing Limited.

Both O'Connor Meats and Garbally Manufacturing were described as substantial creditors of the company.

In an affidavit, Mr O'Connor made a number of allegations, including claims that Birr Meats had continued to trade while insolvent.

He also made allegations about Mr Fennell's conduct as provisional liquidator and sought the appointment of a different liquidator to sell the company as a going concern.

The claims that the company continued to trade while insolvent were refuted by the companies and Mr Fennell, represented by Mr Lyndon MacCann SC and Mr Eamon Marray, denied as "scurrilous" and totally untrue the allegations made about his conduct of the liquidation.

He said he had acted properly at all times.

After efforts to save the business of the two meat companies were unsuccessful, Birr Meats had earlier this year initiated proceedings to wind up both itself and Rudds. Mr Fennell was appointed last April as provisional liquidator.