A shipping company, Pandoro Ltd, yesterday succeeded in overturning an order which has compelled it to carry livestock from here to the Continent. The order was made by the Supreme Court six years ago.
In asking the Supreme Court to overturn the 1997 order, Pandoro, part of the P and O line, complained that those who had obtained the interim order - an association of livestock exporters, hauliers and farmers - had since then failed to bring their full action to trial before the High Court.
The company, which carries freight shipments as its core business, had wanted to end its shipments of livestock transport in 1997.
Yesterday Mr Maurice Collins SC, for Pandoro, said that on December 18th, 1997, the Supreme Court allowed an appeal by members of the EU Livestock Exporters' Association from a High Court order.
The Supreme Court had granted an interlocutory injunction which had the effect of restraining Pandoro from ceasing to provide the service of carrying livestock until after the full hearing of the action.
In July 1997 Pandoro had notified its customers that, for its own reasons, associated with what it considered to be commercial and reputational issues and interests, it proposed to cease providing the service with effect from August 1st.
High Court proceedings were then brought by an association of livestock exporters and others. The High Court refused to grant a restraining order against Pandoro and that refusal was appealed to the Supreme Court.
On December 8th, 1997, the Supreme Court in a judgment given by a former member of that court, Mr Justice O'Flaherty, had allowed the appeal and made an order that Pandoro be restrained, pending the determination of an action or further order, from refusing to carry livestock between Ireland and the Continent.