Courts / Leitrim / Report

Injunction sought preventing hotel's use as asylum seeker accomodation

Date
2018-11-15

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Rooskey

County
Leitrim

Summary

Paradub Limited has launched High Court proceedings against James Kiernan, seeking to prevent the Shannon Key West Hotel in Rooskey, Co Leitrim, from being used to house refugees. The company alleges it holds a 2016 option agreement to purchase the 39-room property from Mr Kiernan for nearly €600,000, which it claims he failed to complete. Paradub asserts that recent plans to lease the hotel for refugee accommodation breach this agreement and frustrate the sale. The applicant seeks an injunction restraining the defendant from leasing, transferring, or disposing of the property to any third party, as well as an order halting works at the site pending the court's determination. In a sworn statement, Paradub director Ashton Doherty stated that despite Mr Kiernan's March assurance to local radio that he intended to sell the property, the company recently learned the refugee housing plan had been resurrected. The matter was heard before Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds, who granted Paradub permission on an ex-parte basis to serve short notice of the proceedings on the defendant. The case was adjourned and made returnable to Tuesday's sitting of the court. Richard Kean SC, instructed by solicitor Georgina Robinson, represented the applicant, emphasizing the need to compel specific performance of the sale agreement.