Judge criticises Supermac's boss and firms in dispute with former franchisee

Application for costs adjourned in case brought by John and Mary Lyons against Pat McDonagh, Supermac's Ireland Ltd, and Funworld 

A Supermac’s subsidiary 'carried out an unauthorised development' before securing retention for works to create a rival restaurant, the High Court judge said. Picture: Larry Cummins

A judge has criticised the way information was provided to the High Court on behalf of Supermac's boss Pat McDonagh and two of his companies in a case against them over a dispute with a former franchisee.

Mr Justice Garrett Simons also said the original case brought by the former Supermac's franchisee operators John and Mary Lyons should not have been dismissed by the Circuit Court because a Supermac's subsidiary, Funworld (Ireland) Ltd, had clearly carried out an unauthorised development before it got retention permission for works to create a rival restaurant to the Lyons' business.