Settlement may be reached in forklift firm-landlord dispute

A settlement may be worked out in a dispute between a landlord and a forklift company which claimed it was locked out of a property in Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole, Co Dublin, the High Court has heard.

Two weeks ago, Masterlift Ireland Ltd obtained a temporary injunction preventing Royal Goldstein III Ltd (RGL) interfering with Masterlift's access to the premises.

The court was told no prior notice was given to Masterlift before the locks were changed by RGL who are the new owners of the premises.

Masterlift, which is involved in the sale and supply of forklift trucks and employs 35 people, says it has been using the 60,000sq ft unit for storage as well as using its parking space since 2008.

Disruption

Masterlift claims the property forms “an integral part” of its operations and the lockout had caused “very substantial” disruption to its business.

The court heard the premises was placed in receivership some years ago after loans advanced by Ulster Bank to develop the units were sold. RGL, it is claimed, acquired the loans in December.

RGL opposed an application to continue the injunction pending full hearing of the matter.

When the case came before Mr Justice Paul Gilligan on Friday, he noted there was a simple solution to the dispute by Masterlift signing a lease with RGL.

Following adjournments to facilitate talks between the parties, Liam Bell BL, for Masterlift, said there was a “potential settlement” of the matter and he sought an adjournment for four weeks which the judge granted.