A third Citroën car dealer has appeared in court on foot of an investigation by the Competition Authority in relation to an alleged price-fixing cartel.

Jack Doran, Homestead, Moneystown Road, Bettystown, Co Meath, who is a director of Ravensdale Trading Limited, appeared before Drogheda District Court yesterday. The company, Donore Road, Drogheda, Co Louth, which trades as Jack Doran Motors, was also charged.

Both Mr Doran and the company face two summonses which allege that on dates between June 9th, 1999 and May 18th, 2002, they entered into an undertaking that aimed to prevent, restrict or distort competition in the motor vehicle trade by directly or indirectly fixing the selling price of Citroën vehicles.

Mr Doran and the company are also alleged to have implemented such an agreement which had as its object the prevention, restriction or distortion of competition in the trade in Leinster by fixing the selling price of Citroën cars.

Each of the alleged offences is contrary to section 3 of the Competition Act 1991.

Michael Donovan, solicitor for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said the DPP had directed trial by indictment at the Central Criminal Court and he sought an adjournment to allow time of preparation of a book of evidence which is the prosecution's case.Judge Flann Brennan adjourned both matters until March 4th.

Jack Doran Motors won the 2002 Citroën dealer of the year award.

The other two Citroën car dealerships which have appeared in court this month are Bursey Peppard of St Agnes Road, Crumlin, Dublin and Duffy Motors of Newbridge, Co Kildare.