Mayo cattle dealer sues owners of marts for allegedly failing to honour agreement

A cattle dealer from Claremorris, County Mayo has brought proceedings in the High Court against Aurivo Co Op, formerly Connaught Gold Co Op Society Ltd, claiming breach of contract over credit terms at the co-operative's marts in Balla and Ballinrobe. Finbar Tolan alleges that following an agreement signed in July 2012 concerning revised credit arrangements, the co-operative subsequently sought further changes at a meeting in August 2012 at its headquarters in Tubbercurry, County Sligo. Mr Tolan contends that when he refused to accept these additional amendments, he was prevented from trading at Balla mart, resulting in his inability to fulfil a livestock delivery contract and the eventual failure of his business. The co-operative denies the allegations and maintains that Mr Tolan initiated this action in response to separate High Court proceedings it brought against him, securing judgment for €154,000 for stock supplied. The co-operative's judgment has been appealed to the Supreme Court. The case before Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns continues.