From the archive: Champagne goes flat as old banana friends head for court

Sixteen years ago, the stage was set for a dramatic legal showdown when DCC boss Jim Flavin was accused of insider trading after selling 18 million shares in Fyffes. Michael Murray covered the story

Jim Flavin, chairman of DCC, with Neil McCann, chairman of Fyffes, at Fyffes’s agm in Jurys Hotel in Dublin in March 2000 Pic: Eamonn Farrell/Photocall Ireland

January 27, 2002

The controversial sale by DCC chief Jim Flavin of nearly 18 million shares in Fyffes has led to a civil action which is set to be one of the most exciting financial lawsuits in the history of the state.

A champagne cork popped at a meeting between DCC chairman Jim Flavin, Fyffes chairman Neil McCann and his son, David, when the three men met just one day before the industrial ...