The long-running legal actions involving the founder of the Master Meats Packers Group of companies, Mr Paschal Phelan, Mr Larry Goodman and Middle Eastern businessman Mr Zakariah El Taher, could continue until June next year, the High Court was told yesterday.
But this timescale could be shortened if accountants for both sides were to get together and examine the books and records, and possibly reach agreement on the financial issues, Mr Brian O'Moore SC, for Mr Phelan, said.
Mr Phelan is pursing a £30 million damages claim against Mr Goodman. He alleges Mr Goodman conspired to force him out of the beef processing industry by secretly controlling a 50 per cent stake in MMP. He also claims that, without his knowledge, he was secretly "sold out" by Mr Taher. He is also suing Mr Taher for breach of agreements.
Mr Goodman, who denies the allegations, has filed counter-claims against Mr Phelan alleging misappropriation of funds, a claim which is denied by Mr Phelan.
Last month, the trial judge, Mr Justice Roderick Murphy, in a preliminary finding held that Mr Taher had breached an agreement with Mr Phelan when he secretively sold 80 per cent of his holding in MMP to Mr Goodman in 1987.
When the cases were mentioned yesterday, Mr Paul Gallagher SC, for Mr Goodman, said his client would be prepared to consider Mr O'Moore's proposal to shorten matters if his side obtained information it had sought in correspondence with Mr Phelan's lawyers.
Mr O'Moore said allegations of fraud by Mr Phelan were being forcefully denied. Those allegations had been brought to conceal Mr Goodman's behaviour, he argued.