Topaz is preferred bidder for €1bn contract

Billionaire tycoon Denis O’Brien’s Topaz chain has been named as the preferred bidder for a massive state contract to operate three motorway service stations on behalf of the National Roads Authority.

The contract has been estimated to be capable of generating €1 billion in sales for Topaz over 25 years.

However, a source with knowledge of the contract said the profit that the petrol retailer could expect to make would only be a ...