Irish court grants order against VW Group in emissions case

A district court judge has granted an interim preliminary order for discovery in a claim for damages by a Roscommon woman against Volkswagen Ireland and its German parent company Volkswagen AG.

The claim by Eithne Higgins, Croghan, Boyle, Co.Roscommon follows an admission by the car manufacturer last year that it had installed software in diesel cars to trick emission testers in the United States.

At Castlebar District Court Tuesday, Judge Mary Devins granted an interim order for the discovery of documentation to the claimant who is being represented by solicitor Evan O'Dwyer.

Barry Fogarty, counsel for Volkswagen, had earlier objected to the scale of the discovery sought by the respondent, describing it as “extremely substantial”. After Judge Devins made the interim preliminary order, Mr. Fogarty requested a timeframe of 12 weeks for the production of such material.

However, Mr O’Dwyer objected, saying that six weeks should be adequate given the respondent’s resources.

The judge directed that all material be made available within six weeks. She fixed September 6th as the date for the next hearing.