Caterer says 'entire business and livelihood' will end on Christmas Eve

A catering company owner has brought proceedings in the High Court seeking an injunction to prevent termination of a contract with a major Dublin bakery. Ciaran Monaghan, trading as Ciaran Monaghan Catering, claims his firm has supplied catering services to Brennan's Bakery in Walkinstown, Dublin 12, for 28 years and currently employs nine staff members. The bakery notified the company in June of its intention to terminate the arrangement and invite tenders from competing vendors, with the contract set to end on Christmas Eve. Mr Monaghan contends the tendering process has stalled and the company has refused to extend the notice period. He argues the six-month timeframe is insufficient to manage redundancy obligations to his employees. Mr Justice Brian O'Moore granted permission on an ex-parte basis to serve short notice of proceedings. The case was adjourned and will return before the High Court the following week.