STAFF at the Taylor Group spoke yesterday of how they felt let down and betrayed because of the disappearance of their former boss, Mr Tony Taylor.

They expressed their satisfaction at the appointment of Mr Paddy McSwiney as provisional liquidator to the company.

"We were left high and dry," one member of staff said of Mr Taylor's disappearance. "The last two weeks have been horrific," said another.

Eight members of staff agreed to be interviewed on condition of anonymity, after they had met the provisional liquidator, Mr McSwiney.

The four men and four women work in a range of positions from administration to investment management.

Even with the benefit of hindsight they were still "very surprised" by what had happened. Mr Taylor had always seemed 100 per cent trustworthy. "We are amazed that he would leave the country."

The last time they saw Mr Taylor was on Friday of last week, when he had worked until evening in the Clyde Road offices. "He was his normal self, there was nothing different about him."

The first they knew of any difficulties in relation to clients' accounts was on the following Monday. On that same day they received a communication from Mr Taylor, via his solicitor.

They would not disclose the content of this fax, nor would they comment on whether they thought they might see Mr Taylor again.

The content of the fax, they said, was "not reassuring".

Since the news of Mr Taylor's disappearance became public, nearly every one of the company's clients had been on expressing concern. They had been reassured and clients were not withdrawing their accounts. "It has been pretty hectic.

"The vast majority of accounts, 99.99 per cent of all accounts are fine," a member of staff said.

Media reports were accurate when they stated the difficulties - were only with accounts handled personally by Mr Taylor. "And a lot of the accounts he handled personally are fine."

Asked about the appointment of Mr McSwiney, one man said they were "delighted that something decisive is being done."

"It gives us a focus point from which we can move. If he hadn't come here we would have been wondering what to do next week."

Staff said the company was very viable and they were hopeful about the future.

Some complained that they had not been forewarned by the Department of Enterprise and Employment about Mr McSwiney's appointment.

There are 11 members of staff with the Taylor Group, one of whom is on holidays abroad and may not yet know of the controversy.

Mr Taylor did not take anything from the building on Friday of last week. He left his dog, Harvey, a grey and black terrier, in the care of the staff.