High Court proceedings are being taken against Enfer Technology Unlimited Company by the estate of former vet Dr Michael O’Connor, now deceased.

O’Connor led the Enfer group of companies in developing a rapid test for BSE in cattle in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The test went on to be widely used in Ireland and the EU, and played a key role in reassuring consumers about the safety of Irish beef at a time of major crisis.

Today, the wider Enfer Group provides a range of veterinary diagnostic services to farmers and others clients, including testing of calf tissue samples for BVD. It is based in Naas, Co Kildare.

The High Court proceedings were issued on 15 May 2019 by the estate of Michael O’Connor.

It is understood the estate alleges that Enfer Technology Unlimited Company failed to repay a €1.2m loan that was owed to O’Connor.

There will be a hearing on the proceedings in the High Court on Monday 20 January.

Enfer Group

The Enfer Group was founded by Louis Ronan from Co Tipperary. The Ronan family has had a long involvement in livestock rendering. Dr Michael O’Connor was involved in founding of Enfer Scientific Ltd and was a director in that company and the related company Enfer Technology Ltd.

Louis Ronan remains a director of Enfer Technology Unlimited Company. The company is owned by Enfer Group Trading Limited Liability Partnership, which has an address in Vancouver, Canada.

Born in Dingle, Co Kerry, Michael O’Connor worked for some years in the Department of Agriculture before moving to the private sector.

He became well known in the cattle business, finishing up to 2,000 head per year. He died in late 2016 after a lengthy illness.