Dozens of Irish hauliers have launched damages actions before the Irish High Court, after the European Commission ruled that five major truck manufacturers broke EU competition laws on pricing.
The European Commission found that Man, Volvo Renault, Daimler, Iveco and Daf had colluded on truck pricing for 14 years, as well as passing on emission compliance costs to customers instead of covering them as a cost of operation. Fines totalling €2.93 billion were levied on the manufacturers, although Man was excused because of its role in revealing the collusion to the commission, reported Irishexaminer.com.
As a result of the EU decision, many Irish hauliers, represented by counsel Paul McGarry and solicitor Evan O’Dwyer, have brought cases before the Irish High Court. The hauliers are claiming a breach of Irish and EU competition laws and are seeking damages from various Irish dealerships, including punitive damages for negligence and breach of contract.
The cases are the first of their kind to result from the commission’s work. Mr McGarry yesterday (28 February) told the court that 30 individual claims had been lodged, and between 40 and 50 more were pending. High Court judge Mr Justice Max Barrett agreed to adjourn the cases to a date in late April.
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