Goodman Group wrongly identified ‘fall guy’ for horsemeat scandal, court hears

A company of

Larry Goodman wrongly “hung out” a small rival beef processor as a “rogue trader” responsible for the 2013 horse meat scandal here, it has been claimed at the High Court.

The finances of McAdam Food Products Ltd (MAF) “fell off a cliff” as a result of a statement issued by ABP Food Group on February 5th 2013, Jim O’Callaghan, for the McAdam side, said. It was grossly unfair his clients were “hung out” by the Goodman group as the “fall guy” for the scandal, he said.

In those circumstances, the court should not grant orders requiring MAF to put up €640,000 security to meet ABP’s costs of defending defamation proceedings, he added.

The impression being put forward by ABP was that MAF was blamed in a Department of Agriculture report on the horse meat issue, he said. That report had criticised Silvercrest, a company owned by ABP, for using some non- approved beef suppliers in breach of the specifications of its major customers, counsel added.

Security for costs

Mr O’Callaghan was opposing ABP’s application for orders requiring MAF provide security for costs of the defamation action brought by Martin McAdam and MAF against ABP arising from the statement. The application concluded yesterday and Mr Justice

Nicholas Kearns

reserved judgment.

The McAdam company had total receipts of some €835,103 in the four months prior to February 5th, 2013, but those fell to some €32,238 in the four months afterwards, it is claimed.

Any alleged inability of MAF to provide security for costs is directly attributable to the actions of ABP, they also allege.