Authority faces high bill over Breeo

THE CompetitionAuthority is facing a substantial legal costs bill following its unsuccessful High Court defence of its refusal to permit theacquisition by the Kerry Group of Breeo, the consumer foods company formed following the restructuring of Dairygold.

Mr Justice John Cooke, who last month allowed the Kerry Group’s appeal against the authority’s decision, yesterday awarded 80% costs of the eight day appeal hearing to Kerry against the authority.

The judge said he was not awarding the full costs against the authority because he had found in favour of some of its arguments, particularly regarding the issue of the closeness of private label products as a source of competition to various brands.