Breaking News: a High Court row involving a student laptop supplier, former executives and claims over lost school contracts has taken a significant turn. In one of the more closely watched Irish Courts business disputes affecting the education technology sector, a temporary injunction obtained by Olive, the trading name of Upskill Online Ltd, has now been discharged by agreement.
The case centres on allegations that Olive lost contracts with 20 schools, said to be worth about €1.61 million annually, after former senior figures moved into rival businesses. The defendants have denied wrongdoing, denied hacking allegations and rejected claims of unlawful competition. The matter is due back before the High Court on October 5.
What happened in this Breaking News Ireland court case?
The latest development came in the High Court on Wednesday, when Judge Michael Twomey was told both sides had agreed that interim injunction orders granted last week could be lifted. Those earlier orders had temporarily restricted Eduvolve and related companies from marketing or delivering educational services to schools that had worked with Olive, while also preserving disputed IT equipment.
The original injunction had been granted on an interim basis by Judge David Nolan after Olive chief executive Brendan Kavanagh alleged that confidential information was being used to target schools and divert business. At that stage, the court had heard only Olive’s side because the defendants had not yet had an opportunity to respond.
That changed after affidavits were filed by the defendants, who told the court they had done nothing unlawful. Wednesday’s order recorded those denials and formally discharged the interim restraints.
Who are the parties in the dispute?
The case involves:
- Olive, the trading name of Upskill Online Ltd
- Eduvolve Ltd
- PNS Ltd, trading as PC Peripherals
- Grafton Digital Ltd
- Former Olive-linked executives Ian Gaughran, Erik Jentetics and Fintan Costello
According to court filings, Olive claims it lost school business after former managers joined or worked with rival firms. The defendants say they have not acted improperly and dispute the accusations made against them.
Why Olive said it sought the injunction
Olive told the court it believed it had lost 20 school contracts involving 2,690 individuals, with an estimated annual value of €1.61 million. Schools named in the filings included Coláiste Bríde in Clondalkin, Loreto College Foxrock, Blackrock College, Coláiste Bhaile Chláir in Claregalway and Presentation Secondary School in Kilkenny.
In material put before the court, Kavanagh said he had been informed by school personnel that approaches had been made encouraging them to move to PC Peripherals. He also alleged that former executive Fintan Costello had accessed Olive’s systems after leaving the company in order to obtain commercially sensitive information.
That allegation is firmly denied. Wednesday’s court order noted Costello’s position and required him to provide a full account of any information extracted from Olive’s systems, if any.
Settlement dispute at the centre of the row
A key part of the case is an earlier settlement reached in March between Olive and Ian Gaughran, following separate legal proceedings that began in January. Court filings indicate that settlement terms included restrictions connected to the education sector until August 2, as well as non-disparagement obligations.
Olive claims that the settlement was breached. Gaughran denies that and says he did not provide services in breach of the agreement. The order made this week reflected that denial while also restraining him from conducting services that would breach the March settlement.
The filings also show the earlier settlement involved Olive paying Gaughran €61,713, while Gaughran withdrew public claims questioning the company’s financial viability.
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Why this Irish News story matters for schools and suppliers
This Latest Irish News development matters because it touches on a sensitive part of the school system: the supply of laptops, devices and education technology services to students and families. Disputes of this kind can raise concerns around contract continuity, supplier competition, data access and service reliability for schools preparing for new academic terms.
For school leaders, the immediate issue is not only who wins the commercial argument but whether technology support for students remains stable. In education procurement, sudden legal disputes can affect:
- Device rollouts before term starts
- Parent payment plans and ordering systems
- Warranty and support arrangements
- Data handling and access to school account information
- Relationships between schools and approved vendors
There is no indication in the court update that teaching or student access has been interrupted across the schools named, but the scale of the claim explains why the case has drawn attention in Ireland News and Business News Ireland coverage.
Allegations remain contested
It is important to distinguish between allegations and findings. The interim injunction was granted at an early stage based on Olive’s affidavit evidence, but the defendants have since denied hacking, denied unlawful competition and denied breaching settlement terms.
No full trial determination has yet been made on the underlying factual disputes. That means the central claims remain contested in the Irish Courts system, and the discharge of the injunction does not itself resolve who is right.
Background to the High Court case
The dispute appears to stem from the breakdown of relationships between Olive and former senior personnel involved in its education business. Court documents referenced in the hearing include a resignation email from Costello sent earlier this year, in which he criticised the company’s conduct, including alleged misrepresentations and supplier payment issues.
Those complaints form part of the broader background but are not, on their own, findings of fact by the court. What is clear is that both sides accuse each other of breaching the earlier settlement and acting improperly in the marketplace.
In practical terms, this makes the case relevant beyond the parties directly involved. It highlights how restrictive covenants, confidentiality obligations and customer relationships are being tested in Ireland’s fast-moving ed-tech and managed IT services market.
Key facts at a glance
- Olive said it lost 20 school contracts worth about €1.61 million annually
- The High Court had granted temporary injunction orders last week
- The defendants later filed affidavits denying wrongdoing
- On Wednesday, the interim injunction was discharged by agreement
- The case has been adjourned until October 5
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What happens next?
The next major date is October 5, when the case is due back before the High Court. Between now and then, the legal focus is likely to remain on the competing affidavits, the March settlement terms and any technical or documentary evidence concerning customer contact and system access.
For schools, parents and sector observers following News Today developments, the main takeaway is that the commercial fight is continuing, but the broad temporary restrictions imposed last week are no longer in force. The court will need to examine the substance of the allegations in greater detail before any final outcome emerges.
FAQ
Did the court rule that hacking took place?
No. Allegations were made, but the defendants deny them and there has been no final court finding on that issue.
Did Olive permanently lose the case?
No. The interim injunction was discharged by agreement, but the wider dispute is still before the High Court.
How many schools are involved in Olive’s claim?
Olive said it lost contracts with 20 schools, involving 2,690 individuals.
When is the case back in court?
The matter was adjourned to October 5.
Latest News Ireland takeaway
This Breaking News story is a reminder that major business disputes in the education sector can quickly escalate into complex High Court proceedings, especially where school contracts, confidential information and former executive relationships are involved. For now, the injunction has been dropped, the allegations remain denied, and the case continues. Readers following Breaking News, Irish News and Ireland Headlines should watch for the next court update in October, when the dispute may become clearer.
