Sometimes, company brands are misleading. Take the case of East Cork Oil. At first glance, it might seem like a local oil distribution business in the east of Co Cork. In reality, however, it is one of the largest fuel distributors in the country with an ownership structure that traces back to a PO Box in the British Virgin Islands. Controlled by the low-profile businessman Desmond Hurley, it has a network of 32 fuel depots and eight service stations in Leinster, Munster and Connacht. Hurley founded the company in 1974. As well as distributing fuel and home heating oil, the…

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