Two related companies which provided refrigeration haulage services to the Continent were wound up by order of Ms Justice Laffoy at the High Court yesterday.

Mr Tom Kavanagh, a Dublin accountant, was appointed official liquidator to Javerton and to Star Line Logistics, both with registered offices at Prusselstown, Dublin Road, Athy, Co Kildare.

Mr Brian Rowan, a director of both companies, stated in affidavits that the total estimated deficiency of Javerton was €1.8 million and sub contractors were owed €500,000.

He said Star Line, which had loaned significant sums to Javerton was also in serious financial difficulty.

Mr Rowan said the two businesses had been complimentary but from early last year Javerton experienced serious financial problems, due to increased costs, the emergence of a new competitor, the outbreak of the Newcastle poultry disease in the Netherlands and the insolvency of one of the company's principal debtors.