M/16/052 - Mollydale (Halstonville) / Smorgs (Travelodge) [2016] IECompA m16052 (28 November 2016)

M/16/052 - Mollydale (Halstonville) / Smorgs (Travelodge) [2016] IECompA m16052 (28 November 2016)

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission determined that the proposed acquisition would not substantially lessen competition in any market for goods or services in the State and therefore cleared the transaction under Phase 1 review.

Parties
Acquirer: Mollydale Limited; Parent Company of Acquirer: Halstonville Limited; Joint Controller of Halstonville Limited: The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.; Joint Controller of Halstonville Limited: Piershine Limited; Target: Smorgs Limited; Subsidiary of Target: Smorgs (Ireland) Limited; Subsidiary of Target: Smorgs ROI Management Limited; Subsidiary of Target: Smorgs Property Holdings Limited; Subsidiary of Target: Smorgs (Northern Ireland) Limited; Subsidiary of Target: Smorgs (NI) Management Limited
Jurisdiction
Ireland
Judgment Date
28 November 2016
Procedural Posture
Merger Control / Phase 1 Clearance
Outcome
cleared
Legal Topics
Merger Control, Hotel Sector Acquisition
Competition Law Merger Control Hotel Sector Acquisition

Case Brief

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Parties

Mollydale Limited

Acquirer

Halstonville Limited

Parent Company of Acquirer

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

Joint Controller of Halstonville Limited

Piershine Limited

Joint Controller of Halstonville Limited

Smorgs Limited

Target

Smorgs (Ireland) Limited

Subsidiary of Target

Smorgs ROI Management Limited

Subsidiary of Target

Smorgs Property Holdings Limited

Subsidiary of Target

Smorgs (Northern Ireland) Limited

Subsidiary of Target

Smorgs (NI) Management Limited

Subsidiary of Target

Procedural Posture

Merger Control / Phase 1 Clearance

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the proposed acquisition would substantially lessen competition in the hotel and hospitality sector in the State.

Ratio Decidendi

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission determined that the proposed acquisition would not substantially lessen competition in any market for goods or services in the State and therefore cleared the transaction under Phase 1 review.

Court Disposition

cleared

Orders

  • The proposed acquisition by Halstonville Limited, through Mollydale Limited, of five subsidiaries of Smorgs Limited and the assets of two Travelodge Hotels (Swords & Belfast) is cleared.