Dunnes to reopen store as stay placed on injunction
Dunnes Stores shut the branch at Gorey Shopping Centre last Thursday after the High Court granted an injunction preventing the company from continuing to use a door that opened directly onto the centre’s car park.
The injunction was obtained by Paul McCann of Grant Thornton, who was appointed by AIB as receiver to run the centre.
Lawyers for the receiver argued that the use of the door was a breach of Dunnes Stores’ lease obligations and the net effect was that customers could bypass smaller traders in the shopping centre.
Dunnes Stores had opposed the application, and urged the court not to grant the injunction.
In a ruling late last week, Mr Justice Brian McGovern granted the injunction preventing the supermarket chain from using the door that directly opened onto the car park as an entrance to the store.
It was also ordered that the only entrance which could be used was the main entrance to the shopping centre.
At a vacation sitting of the High Court, Mr Justice Donald Binchey was informed that both sides were consenting to a stay being placed on the injunction for a period of two months.
In what was a brief application, barrister Edward Farrelly said the move was to allow the two sides and “other stakeholders” to “engage with each other” in a bid to resolve the matter.
The court also heard the stay would not prejudice Dunnes Stores’ right to appeal Mr Justice McGovern’s decision to grant the injunction.
Mr Justice Binchey, in adjourning the matter, agreed to place the stay on the injunction until July 24.
It is understood that, following yesterday’s application to the High Court, the store in Gorey is to reopen to the public.
Approximately 100 people are employed by Dunnes Stores at the Wexford store.
Its closure to the public had been criticised by trade union Mandate, which represents the workers.
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