A subsidiary of Wrights of Howth launches a High Court judicial review against Dublin Airport Authority after losing a €9.5m tender for a food and convenience store in Terminal 1 arrivals hall.
Dublin Airport Authority awarded the contract to Smart Horizon Ltd beneficially owned by Michael Wright who also operates the Marqette restaurant in Terminal 1. The contract involves the provision of what are described as 24/7 “foodvenience” services in the Terminal 1 atrium unit and a coffee pod/truck to be situated next to the atrium.
The challenge claims Dublin Airport Authority failed to comply with EU law by incorrectly applying award criteria and taking irrelevant considerations into account.
Proceedings enter the High Court Commercial List with the new contract suspended pending the outcome which means there will be no operator in the unit after the current contract ends at the end of March 2026, where 51 people are employed by Wright’s.
The case follows earlier family disputes within the Wrights of Howth group, with brother and sister Mark and Bernadette settling a case in 2023.
Smart Horizon Ltd operates the Marqette restaurant in Dublin Airport and has been involved in contracts with the Dublin Airport Authority. It was one of five bidders for the contract which entered the competition last July.
Donagh Hardiman, acting for the DAA, applied to have the case admitted to the fast-track Commercial Court on consent from Daragh Breen acting for Wrights.
Justice Mark Sanfey entered the case to the commercial list and approved directions for progressing it. He adjourned it to May.
