All allegations, including claims of accounting irregularities, that were made against Aircoach and its managing director Mr John O'Sullivan by the company's former finance director were withdrawn in the High Court yesterday.

The action brought by Mr Joseph Shortall against the company arising from the termination of his employment was also struck out.

Mr Shortall, who came from England to work for Aircoach last February, was initally suspended after only two weeks as finance director after he brought an accountant friend in to work with him over a weekend.

Mr Shortall (38), a father of three, of Burnell Park Avenue, Castleknock, Co Dublin, took the action for damages against Last Passive Limited, trading as Aircoach; Centrewest London Buses Limited; and First Group Plc.

He said his previous employer Great Eastern Railway Limited was a subsidiary of First Group Plc, a transport conglomerate.

In an affidavit, he stated that that he began his employment with Aircoach on February 2nd last and was suspended on February 20th. He had not been paid since February 16th. On March 2nd, he received a letter terminating his employment.

During the hearing yesterday, Mr Roddy Horan, for Mr Shortall, told Ms Justice Carroll that the action could be struck out as the allegations against the company and in particular its managing director, Mr John O'Sullivan, had been withdrawn.