D3 head shop row settled as lease surrendered
The D3 Headshop, which sold so-called legal highs, opened on the Clontarf Road on St Patrick’s Day last having previously operated as a florists.
Last Monday, the court granted a temporary injunction to the owners of the premises Patrick and Alice Lynch, against their tenant Jeffrey Carey, prohibiting him from carrying on any business there other than as 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 following talks, 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 that the use of the premises, which had been leased as a florist/gift shop, had been changed into a head shop.
The court heard there were protests outside the premises last Saturday and local community groups were gravely concerned.
The Lynchs, of Seapark Road, Clontarf , had bought the premises as an investment property. Without any warning or consent, the use had been changed and it became a media issue last Friday when there were phone calls to RTÉ’s Liveline, counsel said.
It was only then that the Lynch’s became aware the shop had been converted into a head shop and there was a history of these shops being burned down, counsel said. Windows had been damaged. The Lynchs had also been informed its insurers would not maintain insurance for a head shop.
Counsel also said the Lynchs had no wish to add to the distress of parents in the area.
