A visit to the Dublin headquarters of technology firm Ebeon last Friday morning revealed just how far - and how quickly - its star had fallen.

A day after the company announced it had ceased trading, an official of the Sheriff's office was answering the door at the Sandyford Industrial Estate base.

He was representing the Revenue Commissioners, he said, who were owed money by the firm.

And they were not alone. Among those calling to the premises were small creditors seeking to meet representatives of the company in the hope of recouping their losses.

One supplier, who was attempting to reclaim food and cash from a vending machine, was denied access beyond the front desk, while another said his company was owed around £15,000. Some days earlier, he added, he had been in negotiations with Ebeon's management about further work.