• Eugene F Collins advises PR firm on management buyout
  

Eugene F Collins has advised the management team at Irish PR company Drury Porter Novelli on its management buyout.

The directors acquired the business from owner Omnicom Group Inc for an undisclosed sum in the buyout announced last Tuesday.Founded in 1989, the company has a strong roster of clients across corporate and financial PR, public affairs, and its consumer and digital division. Following the completion of the transaction, the company will continue trading as Drury Communications.

The Eugene F Collins team advising on the transaction was led by corporate partner Leonora Malone, with support from corporate partner Gavin Doherty, corporate associate Doreen Mescal, IP/IT partner David Hackett and employment partner Maura Connolly.

Writing on LinkedIn, the firm said: “Congratulations to all at Drury at this really exciting time for the business.”

• A&L Goodbody advises on €94m property sale
  

A&L Goodbody has advised Henderson Park Capital Partners on the sale of a Dublin city centre commercial property to German real estate fund manager KGAL.

The property at 2 Burlington Road, Dublin 4, which houses the headquarters of EBS, was sold for €94 million, according to The Irish Times.

ALG’s commercial real estate team, led by partner John Williams and associate Nicholas Ndhlovu, advised on the transaction.

The firm said: “This transaction represents further positive development in the investment market at this time.”

• Matheson advises Brookfield Renewable on Facebook corporate PPA

Matheson has advised Brookfield Renewable on a major corporate power purchase agreement (PPA) with Facebook.

The deal with one of the world’s largest publicly-traded, pure-play renewable power platforms concerns a new 28.8 megawatt onshore wind farm known as Lisheen III in Co Tipperary, Ireland.

The Matheson team was led by Garret Farrelly, partner and head of the energy and infrastructure group, who was assisted by associates Seán Scally and Owen Collins.

Mr Farrelly said: “We were delighted to support the Brookfield Renewable team on this landmark deal for the Irish market. We expect that corporate PPAs such as this will play a critical role in Ireland achieving its renewable energy targets in the coming years, in addition to projects supported by RESS.

“Our mandate on this deal (as well as all corporate PPAs signed in Ireland to date) reinforces Matheson’s position as a market-leading adviser on corporate PPAs and Irish renewable energy projects.”

• NI: Cleaver Fulton Rankin advises Bangor firm on first funding round
  

Cleaver Fulton Rankin has advised Bangor-based fully insulated staple manufacturer Grays Clip Ltd on its first significant funding round.

Seen on BBC’s Dragon’s Den, the company’s flagship product, Viper Clip, is suitable for use when attaching 240-volt cables to wooden joists.

The corporate team at Cleaver Fulton Rankin, led by director Hilary Griffith, advised the firm on the funding round.

• Matheson advises DPO Group on acquisition by Network International Holdings
  

Matheson has advised the DPO Group on its recent acquisition by Network International Holdings, an enabler of digital commerce.

The DPO Group, headquartered in Ireland with a broad international presence across Africa, is a market leading e-commerce platform and payments provider across Africa and has been acquired by Network International Holdings plc.

Corporate M&A partner George Brady led the cross-departmental Matheson team advising on the transaction, supported by senior associates John Coary and Sandie Lord and working closely with the group’s African counsel, ENS Africa.

Mr Brady said: “At Matheson we are delighted to have worked with the DPO Group over the past numbers of years, as the business has grown beyond recognition.

“A number of teams across the firm have supported the DPO Group as it rapidly established itself as a market leader and the firm is delighted to see the validation that this transaction brings to the group’s hard work over the years.”

• Bird & Bird acts for Celtic Rugby DAC on strategic investment
  

International law firm Bird & Bird has acted for Celtic Rugby DAC, the Dublin-based organiser of the Guinness PRO14 rugby union tournament, on a strategic investment by CVC Capital Partners.

The firm’s London office advised on all aspects of a transformative strategic investment from CVC Capital Partners Fund VII, announced at the end of May 2020.

The significant investment will allow Celtic Rugby DAC, as well as its shareholders - the Irish, Italian, Scottish and Welsh rugby unions - to continue investing in the sport of rugby union at all levels of the game.

The Bird & Bird team involved media, entertainment and sports partners Max Duthie and Craig Giles, corporate partner Helen Gavin-Brown and competition partner Richard Eccles.

They were supported by senior associate Richard Bloomfield and associate Laura Tyler, both in the corporate team, and a number of associates and trainee solicitors drawn from across the broader firm.

Mr Duthie said: “We are delighted to have been involved in such a high profile and significant transaction for professional rugby union, particularly given the current difficult economic circumstances. We have worked closely with Celtic Rugby for many years, advising on all aspects of its business.”