A number of businessmen from Northern Ireland have been disqualified from acting as directors following inquiries into the affairs of their former businesses.

The UK's department of enterprise, trade and investment has accepted a disqualification undertaking for six years from Barry Gene Paul, Antrim, in respect of his conduct as a director of ECI Engineering Ltd and Telecom Ireland Ltd.

ECI carried on a business providing telecoms engineering services and systems to other telecoms companies.

It had its place of business at 80, Crosskennan Road, Antrim, and went into liquidation in September 2003 with assets of £275 (€406), liabilities of £78,122 and an estimated deficiency as regards creditors of £77,847.

The company also failed to keep proper books and issued cheques with a total value of £58,441 without regard to their being honoured upon presentation.

Telecom Ireland, 58 Greystone Road, Antrim, went into liquidation in April 2004 with assets of £946 and liabilities of £80, 485.

The department has also accepted a disqualification undertaking for seven years from Garrett Duffy, Lisburn, in respect of his conduct as director of Dora Food Fabrications Ltd.

A similar disqualification has been accepted from Paul Simpson, Coleraine, in respect of the same company.

The company was involved in the fabrication and design of industrial kitchens from a unit at Mallusk Park, Mallusk Road, Newtonabbey, and went into liquidation in February 2003 with assets of £26,394, liabilities of £208,167, and an estimated deficiency as regards creditors of £181,773.

The unfit conduct included allowing the company trade when knowing it was insolvent, the non-payment of debts owed to the Crown, the issuing of cheques totalling £91,719 without regard to the prospect of their being honoured, and failing to keep proper accounts.