How Steorn pulled the plug on its decade-long promise of free energy

It claimed to have rewritten the laws of physics - but not even €23 million could save Steorn

Shaun McCarthy, the founder of Steorn, now plans to make a living playing poker Pic: Maura Hickey

The doors are shut; the staff laid off; the shareholders have been notified: Steorn, the controversial Irish company that promised free energy in defiance of the laws of physics, is set to be liquidated.

Shaun McCarthy, the founder of Steorn, told The Sunday Business Post that he was winding up the company that has raised nearly €23 million from its shareholders in just over ten years because it could not find fresh investment.