A man has been charged at the district court in Cork with assisting in the operation of a price fixing cartel by Ford dealers in Ireland.
Denis Manning of Alandale Avenue, Melbourn Estate, Bishopstown in Cork city is alleged to have been involved in an agreement with the Irish Ford Dealers' Association to prevent competition in the motor trade by fixing selling prices.
He is the first person to be prosecuted following a two-and-a-half year investigation by the Competition Authority into the operation of the motor trade by car dealers.
Mr Manning is facing two charges of aiding and abetting the association and its members to implement an agreement to prevent, restrict or distort competition in the motor trade.
The charge alleges that he was involved in fixing the selling prices of vehicles in the motor trade.
The case against Mr Manning will be dealt with on indictment, probably at the Central Criminal Court because of the seriousness of the charges.
The maximum penalties on conviction are five years in jail or €4 million or 10% of the annual turnover of a business found to be involved in price-fixing.
The short hearing ended when both sides consented to a two-month adjournment while a book of evidence is prepared.
Mr Manning will be back in court again on 21 June.
