A DISPUTE over a new head shop in Clontarf, Dublin, was settled at the High Court yesterday with the operator agreeing to surrender the lease on the premises.
The D3 Headshop, which sold so-called “legal highs”, opened on Clontarf Road on St Patrick’s Day, having previously operated as a florist.
On Monday, the court granted a temporary injunction to the owners of the premises, Patrick and Alice Lynch, against tenant Jeffrey Carey, restraining him from carrying on any business there other than a florist/gift shop.
The injunction also restrained him doing anything which would make the insurance on the premises void or voidable.
Yesterday, Brendan Watchorn SC, for the owners, told Ms Justice Mary Laffoy that Mr Carey had agreed to surrender the lease. The matter could be struck out and no further order was required, Mr Watchorn said.
On Monday, the court heard the owners were very concerned the use of the premises had been changed to that of head shop.
The court heard there were protests outside the premises last Saturday and local community groups were gravely concerned.
The Lynchs, who live locally, had bought the premises as an investment property. It was previously used as a hairdressers and they claimed they had only given their consent to have it converted to a florist/gift shop. They said they were concerned for insurance purposes about its use as a head shop and did not want to add to distress of parents in the area. Windows had been damaged last weekend, the court heard.