Stentor, the troubled telecommunications company, refused to admit the media to its annual general and extraordinary general meetings held in Dublin yesterday.

The e.g.m. was held to discuss the financial state of the company which has accumulated debts of £14 million.

The company's secretary, Mr Paul O'Brien, said the meetings were confined to shareholders and he would not allow photographers or reporters into the room.

He added that photographs could be taken of the company's executives after the meeting, but not during it.

Earlier, Mr O'Brien removed photographic equipment from the room where the meetings were to be held and referred all queries to a public relations company.

When asked by The Irish Times what particular reason there was for preventing reporters attending the meeting, he replied that the company had no "obligation" to allow them in.

"This decision is being made by me; this is a company meeting and is there for shareholders," he added.

Legally the press can be excluded from extraordinary and annual general meetings, but it is normal practice to admit them.

Most of the 15 to 20 shareholders in attendance would not comment on what was discussed when the meeting concluded. It is not clear who chaired the meeting as Stentor's chairman, Mr Dan O'Neill, resigned last week.

Some shareholders attending the meeting did confirm that no questions were asked about Stentor's performance and all resolutions were passed unanimously.

Last night, Stentor said details of the £5.5 million bail-out of the company by Co-Operation Benefit Fund Ltd, which has a stake in Stentor, would be sent to shareholders and the Irish Stock Exchange within 10 days.

Another e.g.m. will be needed to get shareholders' approval for this package. Stentor expects this meeting to take place within a month.