Courts / Tipperary / Report

Major logistics firm claims agents 'taking advantage' of Covid-19 emergency

Date
2020-04-01

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Tipperary

Summary

Interlink Ireland Ltd, trading as DPD, secured temporary High Court injunctions against two agents, Mr Joe Corcoran and Mr Bernard O'Brien, who sought to terminate their agreements amid the Covid‑19 emergency. The agents claimed they could no longer fulfil their duties, but Interlink argued no evidence was provided that the pandemic had materially affected their businesses. The agency agreements require six months' notice for termination, and Interlink has seen a surge in demand for essential deliveries during the pandemic. The court granted interim injunctions preventing the agents from ending the agreements and requiring them to continue operating as agreed. Interlink contended the agents were attempting to exploit the health crisis for commercial advantage, and the judge found the injunctions justified based on the evidence presented. The case will be revisited in a subsequent court session.