Raymond Heney, Larry Hickey, Noel Browne, Anthony Flynn and Andrew Walsh deny charges under the Competition Act 2002.

The cases relate to alleged anti-competitive practices in the provision of school transport services.

The trial, which began on Tuesday, is believed to be the first of its kind in the Central Criminal Court and is said to be particularly complex and novel.

Heney is represented by Dermot Cahill SC, Ed O’Mahoney BL and Sean O’Mahoney BL, instructed by Katie O’Callaghan of John M. Joy Solicitors, Clonmel, County Tipperary.

Hickey is represented by Brendan Grehan SC, David Staunton BL and Diarmuid O’Leary BL, instructed by Philip English of Leahy English Solicitors, Tipperary Town.

Browne is represented by Philip Sheehan SC, Liam O’Connell BL and Alison Fynes BL, instructed by Colin Morrissey of Leahy English Solicitors, Tipperary Town.

Flynn is represented by Desmond Dockery SC, Rita Kilroy BL, Brian Storan BL and Sean Osborne BL, instructed by Evan O’Dwyer of O’Dwyer LLP, Ballyhaunis, County Mayo.

Walsh is represented by Timothy O’Leary SC, Patrick Kennedy BL and Kate Kelly BL, instructed by Paddy Cadell of Butler Cunningham & Molony, Templemore, County Tipperary.