The former milk quota manager of Golden Vale is suing the company for damages. He claims he was forced to participate in a massive fraud against farmer-suppliers and the Department of Agriculture.

Mr Michael Stokes (45), of Eglantine Cresent, Quartertown, Mallow, Co Cork has made a number of allegations of fraud against Golden Vale.

He has alleged payments were reduced to farmers in relation to butter fat and protein content and that there were reduced payments to farmers on the volume of milk collected because of adjustments to meters for measuring milk volume on bulk tank trucks. He also alleges false returns were made to the Department.

Mr Stokes claims he suffered stress and illness as a result of being compelled to participate in these schemes of deception. The company denies his claims.

Yesterday, the Master of the High Court, Mr Edmund Honohan, adjourned for one week Mr Stokes's application for an order that Golden Vale make available to his lawyers documents in the company's possession.

Dr John O'Mahony SC, for Mr Stokes, said the case involved a massive fraud carried out by the company against suppliers and the Department of Agriculture. Counsel said Mr Stokes was entrapped in many of these activities.

In his statement of claim, Mr Stokes alleges that, from about 1995, he was directed to work in an extremely stressful environment which involved participating in schemes of deception and fraud.

He was compelled to work in these conditions despite complaints to his superiors.

He claimed the operation of these schemes of deception involved alteration and falsification of records, the suppression of accurate information involving suppliers of milk and the company's dealings with the Department.

Mr Stokes applied for and was granted redundancy in 1995. He claims this was as a consequence of his inability to cope with the working environment and that his health suffered as a result. He had never seen a doctor previously in relation to stress.

He alleges he had to devise and manipulate a system where no milk quota levies were imposed on Golden Vale for exceeding the quota. He was told in March, 1995 that extensive investigations were ongoing and he alleged he was bullied and subjected to duress.

He was guilt-ridden and felt he had been extremely badly abused by the company.

In its defence, the company denies that Mr Stokes was overworked or obliged or directed to become involved in any alleged schemes of deception. It is denied such schemes existed in the company.