Firm says Dunnes conspired with rival

A company providing baked goods to Irish supermarkets claims that Dunnes Stores has conspired with a rival in an attempt to have it replaced as a supplier.

Thornhaven, a wholesaler supplying baked goods and cakes including under the trading name Frêre Jacques to various supermarket chains, claims Dunnes has passed on sensitive commercial information to a rival firm Matt Reilly Cakes.

In High Court proceedings against Dunnes Stores and Matt Reilly Cakes, Thornhaven wants injunctions preventing the defendants using and providing confidential and sensitive commercial information to other parties, including information on the pricing of Thornhaven’s product range with its suppliers.

Importer

It also seeks orders preventing the defendants making contact with Thornhaven’s suppliers for the purpose of replacing it as the importer of those products.

The defendants deny any wrongdoing, with their counsel Martin Hayden SC yesterday describing the claims as “outrageous”.

Thornhaven, represented by Patrick O’Reilly SC and Robert Beatty, claims it had a contract to supply various products sourced in continental Europe.

It claims confidential information provided to Dunnes concerning the pricing of the wholesaler’s product range with its suppliers was given to Matt Reilly Cakes with the effect of damaging its business.

It also claims certain products Dunnes had stopped buying from it are being supplied to Dunnes by Matt Reilly Cakes.

Mr O’Reilly said due to the alleged actions of the defendants, Thornhaven has had to put six of its workers on protective notice.