Denis O'Brien defence seeks costs security ahead of court battle

Lawyers for Denis O’Brien are looking for security of costs ahead of a High Court battle over the awarding of the second mobile phone license to Esat in the 1990s.

Last year the Supreme Court cleared the way for two of the unsuccessful bidders Comcast International Holdings Incorporated and Persona Digital Telephony Ltd to challenge the award.

The High Court has heard Mr O’Brien is one of the defendants as he was chairman of Esat Digifone, and that he will argue that the tendering process was fair and honest.

He’s seeking security of costs against Comcast and Ganley International Ltd who are connected to the Cellstar bid.

Mr O’Brien’s lawyers say even if the process was compromised, Cellstar came last of the tenders submitted and would not be entitled to benefit from any alleged wrongdoing.