Courts / Tipperary / Report
School bus operators attempted to 'load the dice' to distort market, prosecution tell jury
Summary
Five school bus operators from Tipperary are on trial in the Central Criminal Court for allegedly colluding to distort competition in the provision of school transport services. The prosecution alleges that between 2014 and 2016, the accused engaged in a concerted practice to manipulate tender prices and allocate routes among themselves. Prosecution counsel Dominic McGinn SC stated that the accused discussed bidding strategies and pricing, which led to higher prices for taxpayers. The trial has heard that one of the accused arranged meetings to coordinate efforts, and that there was a degree of coordination among the parties. The prosecution argues that this was not a formal agreement but a form of collusion that distorted the market. The case is not about the importance of school transport for children but about the manipulation of public funds. The trial continues with the jury considering the evidence presented.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: School bus operators attempted to 'load the dice' to distort market, prosecution tell jury. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- November 1, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 31, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 4, 2016 Other
- 2025-12-10 Publication
Why: The jury has heard that one of the accused would arrange to hold meetings in order to provide services and assistance in dealing with administrative processes. CNI source report
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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