It must have been a case of déjà vu for bookmakers as four horses with a link to legendary Irish gambler and former trainer Barney Curley won in exceptional circumstances netting punters more than €2.5m.

Co Galway firm Curley Furniture and Carpets Ltd collapsed owing €3.8m to the Ulster Bank and €600,000 to the Bank of Scotland, figures show.

Beef and pig farmers in the North are cutting back production or quitting altogether because of poor farm-gate prices, it was revealed today.