Computers stolen from bankrupt firm amid contract row

Computers have been stolen from a company which went bust amid a dispute over work carried out on a new £200m (€288m) power plant in Northern Ireland, it emerged today.

Five hard-drives and back-up files were taken during a break-in at Steamplant’s offices at Ballylumford Station near Larne, Co Antrim.

Blood stains found at the scene have been examined by police forensics experts in an attempt to identify the thieves.

The theft occurred as the firm attempted to secure outstanding payments for installing pipes at the plant.

An Italian company which awarded the contract to Steamplant refused to pay out until paperwork is provided to prove the work is up to standard.

It is understood documentation relating to welding procedures used were taken in the raid.

With a freeze on its earnings, the firm has been forced into administration, owing £2m (€2.8m) to creditors.

Steamplant boss John Matchett has also been forced to lay off up to 100 staff working at the power station.

Even though his company has carried out all the welding maintenance on the Ballylumford plant for years, the pipe fitting contract signed in June 2000 was a new venture.

Mr Matchett’s tender was accepted by Enelpower in a deal worth £3m (€4.3m) to Steamplant.

But following months of difficulties, including a strike by union members, Steamplant was forced to shut down last October after Enelpower withheld payments.

Bills would not be met until material specifications and welders approval were provided, the company was told.

A committee of the main creditors, including the Inland Revenue, has been set to examine the case and decide if grounds exist for a legal challenge.

A top firm of quantity surveyors was brought in to examine all the paperwork and decide whether or not to lodge a claim for outstanding payments. A decision is expected to be reached within weeks.

Premier Power, which owns the Ballylumford plant and awarded the turn-key contract for the new station, has insisted it cannot interfere in a dispute between other companies who have entered into a contract.

But Steamplant was dealt a huge blow by the break-in on St Patrick’s Day last month.

One of the computers stolen contained detailed information on all work carried out on the site and production reports.

Mr Matchett has refused to comment on the burglary, but a Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesman confirmed detectives were probing the case.

He said: “We received a report that a number of computers had been stolen from an industrial site in Ballylumford. It is still under investigation.”