A new two-part TV documentary on Larry Goodman takes a look at how one businessman moved from being a relative unknown to the most famous name in Irish beef.
'Goodman: Too Big To Fail' charts his success in business, his close ties to the political establishment and the accusation of irregularities that led to the Beef Tribunal being established in 1991.
Producer Ella McSweeney told Behind the Story it is important to remember how important the beef industry was to Ireland of the past.
"I think you cannot overstate how important it was - not just literally in terms of 4% of gross national product - but also politically," she said.
Director Ciarán Cassidy said Mr Goodman was a rare success story at the time.
"Larry Goodman in 1978 was unheard of - but by 1990, he was probably one of the biggest names in the country," he said.
‘Irregularities at some plants’
His success was mired in a number of high-profile controversies that revealed his close links with politicians.
There were allegations raised in the Dáil of ‘irregularities’ at some of his plants and accusations of favouritism by the then-Fianna Fáil government led by Charles Haughey.
Ms McSweeney said agriculture journalist Susan O’Keefe raised questions as to why Mr Goodman was so important to the government.
"She got a call from a man called Patrick McGuinness, who was working as an accountant in the Goodman organisation, and he spoke to her for three hours," she explained.
"Her jaw dropped and she realised there is a story to tell here."
The tribunal findings - although damning of his industry and his company - ultimately found that Mr Goodman had no knowledge of the malpractice going on in his factories.
The businessman emerged unscathed and set about rebuilding his empire.
Fran and Maggie are also joined by correspondent Evelyn O’Rourke to talk about the apparent waning popularity of an arts degree, amid reports that the University of Galway could end and replace its course amid a fall-off in interest.
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