WELL-KNOWN BUSINESSMAN Martin Blake, has died suddenly, aged 57. Mr Blake, who was involved in the meat and energy businesses was found dead at his home close to Navan, Co Meath, on Wednesday night.

It is understood that gardaí were called to the scene but there is no investigation under way into his death.

Up to 2004, Mr Blake was a director of Mountside Properties, now Mountside Partners, the original developer of the Tynagh Energy power plant in Galway, a €300 million project. He played a key role in that development, helping it through the planning process.

He subsequently worked on a number of other Mountside energy undertakings, including the development of specialised power plants in the north west.

Multinationals GE and Gama now own 80 per cent of Tynagh between them, while Mountside holds the balance.

Mr Blake never owned a stake in the company but acted as a director and consultant to the operation.

Mr Blake’s family were farmers who originally came from Louth.

The Blakes expanded into the meat supply business through Honeyclover, which has operations in a number of locations, including Kilkenny and Kildare.

Mr Blake and his brothers, Richard, Bruce and Ivan are directors of the various companies that make up that business.

He was highly regarded by his colleagues and those with whom he did business.

Mr Blake is survived by his wife, four children, his mother and his brothers and sisters.