Members of Citroën Dealers Association cartel convicted of price fixing
Outcome of investigation
In total 14 convictions, comprising eight individuals and six undertakings, were secured by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in relation to an investigation conducted by the Competition Authority (Authority), from the mid-1990’s to 2007, involving a price fixing cartel in the sale of Citroën cars.
Outline of Case
Arising out of a series of investigations into car dealerships that involved various brands of car in the mid-1990’s, the Authority opened a case around 2002. The case focused on Citroën dealerships. A series of complaints formed the groundwork and came from identified and anonymous sources, as well as the assistance of an immunity applicant.
The allegations centred on price-fixing, in particular a collusion to fix prices of new Citroën vehicles, second hand cars, accessories including metallic paint options and delivery charges. The agreement was policed by the Secretary of the Citroën Dealers Association who closely monitored participant-members prices.
In 2007 the DPP preferred price fixing charges against the named dealerships, individual officers and directors of the Citroen dealerships. In addition, the DPP preferred charges of aiding and abetting the commission of the offence of price fixing against the Secretary of the Citroën Dealers Association.
Read the judgment in the Citroën Dealers Association case, DPP v Patrick Duffy & Duffy Motors (Newbridge) Limited of 7 May 2009.
Table of cases below:
| Defendant | Status | Date Sentenced | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Durrigan & Sons Limited | Pleaded guilty in the Circuit Criminal Court to the price fixing charges | 08/05/2008 | €12,000 fine |
| James Durrigan | Pleaded guilty in the Circuit Criminal Court to the price fixing charges | 08/05/2008 | Three months prison sentence – suspended for two years |
| Ravenslodge Trading Limited
T/A Jack Doran Motors |
Pleaded guilty in the Circuit Criminal Court to the price fixing charges | 28/10/2008 | €20,000 fine |
| Jack Doran | Pleaded guilty in the Circuit Criminal Court to the price fixing charges | 28/10/2008 | Three months prison sentence – suspended for five years |
| Duffy Motors (Newbridge) Limited | Pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the price fixing charges | 23/03/2009 | €50,000 fine |
| Patrick Duffy | Pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the price fixing charges | 23/03/2009 | Six months and nine months prison sentences – suspended for five years. Total of €50,000 fines |
| Bursey Peppard Limited | Pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the price fixing charges | 03/04/2009 | €80,000 fine |
| James Bursey | Pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the price fixing charges | 03/04/2009 | Six months and nine months sentences – suspended for five years. Total of €80,000 fines. Prison term of 28 days imposed for non-payment of the fine |
| Finglas Motors (M50) Limited | Pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the price fixing charges | 17/06/2009 | €35,000 fine |
| Bernard Byrne | Pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the price fixing charges | 17/06/2009 | Nine months prison sentence – suspended for one year. €2,000 fine. |
| Gowan Motors (Parkgate) Limited | Pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the price fixing charges | 22/06/2009 | €30,000 fine |
| Michael Patrick Gibbs | Pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the price fixing charges | 22/06/2009 | Six months prison sentence – suspended for three years. €30,000 fine. |
| Brian Smyth | Pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the price fixing charges | 22/06/2009 | Six months prison sentence – suspended for three years. €30,000 fine. |
| John McGlynn | Pleaded guilty in the Central Criminal Court to aiding and abetting the commission of the offence of price fixing | 27/11/2009 | Six months and nine months prison sentences – suspended for five years. €30,000 fine |
