Well-known south Belfast estate agent Gerry O'Connor has been made bankrupt, it can be revealed.

The insolvency was brought against him by creditors in December and brought before the High Court in Belfast last month.

GOC Estate Agents - which is jointly led by Mr O'Connor and his wife Kirby - is in "no way affected" by the prominent businessman's bankruptcy, according to the firm.

But it's understood Mr O'Connor will now no longer be able to continue as a director of the company he founded more than 20 years ago.

It's one of the conditions resulting from being made bankrupt, which lasts for 12 months in the UK.

The 61-year-old is currently listed as a director of the company - whose registered address is the firm's Stranmillis Road office - alongside his wife.

Mr O'Connor did not wish to make any comment on the details surrounding the bankruptcy.

The Belfast man has been working in the Northern Ireland property market for more than 40 years.

And in 1994, he first set up his own estate agency in the thriving student and upmarket district of Stranmillis in south Belfast.

The company occupied a number of locations in the area over the firm's more than 20 years in business.

His wife Kirby, who is currently a joint director of the Stranmillis company, told the Belfast Telegraph that "GOC Estate Agents continues to trade as normal and is in no way affected by this news".

"2014 was an exciting year for us and within the last four months, we have employed three new members of staff and are looking at future expansion opportunities," she said.

She said the company was "performing strongly" with the firm expecting to see an "upward trend" this year.

GOC Estate Agents - formerly Gerry O'Connor Estate Agents - deals with a host of properties across south Belfast and further afield, in both letting and sales.

Located in one of the busiest student areas in the capital, the company is popular with younger renters attending Queen's, Ulster University and Stranmillis University College.

The company currently has nine staff based at their Stranmillis Road office.

Just last year, the firm celebrated its 20th year in business.

Factfile

Gerry O'Connor is a well-known businessman and property expert who has worked in the industry for more than 40 years. In 1994 he set up his estate agency in the Stranmillis area of south Belfast. The company deals in private lettings, property sales and management as well as student house rentals.

Belfast Telegraph