Posted online: Jun 26th, 2009

AS the rent row rages on in Letterkenny Shopping Centre one tenant is appealing the High Court decisions to keep him from entering his unit.
Meanwhile Brendan Proctor owner of Proctor Newsagents will find out today (Friday) if he too has also been locked out of his unit in the store, leaving eight staff without a job.
On Tuesday the High Court ruled that the owners of the Letterkenny Shopping Centre can begin legal action against Alfie Green owner of Greene’s Shoes over the dispute over rents.
The court ruled that Lindat, which owns the centre, can bring an application to restrain Alfie Green from entering and remaining at his store in the centre after he was locked out last week for not paying rent. He will appeal the decision in court next Wednesday.
Thirteen long-term tenants at the shopping centre met with Deputy James McDaid and their legal teams in an effort to find a resolution to the dispute on Tuesday.
The row developed between the traders and the centre’s owners, Dublin-based Harcourt Developments, which is owned by Buncrana man Pat ‘Big Hill’ Doherty, over a rent hike of between 47 and 61 per cent.
Traders have been paying half rent in a bid to get the development company to the negotiating table over the hike.
Brendan Proctor said: “We’re all behind Alfie and to lock someone out of their store is such a draconian method. They are playing hard-ball.
“But if right is on your side it is on your side. If I get locked out I will have to pay the back rent because I don’t have any other store or any choice. But we are seeking legal advice on the matter.”
Alfie Green, who celebrates his 64th birthday today, commented: “Harcourt Developments refuse to talk to us. I talked to the man once on the phone and all he said over and over again was ‘if you don’t pay the rents you will be locked out’.
“I pay €75,000 per year on rent as it is and then a further €12,000 to €15,000 on services. On top of that trade is down from 25-50 per cent so there is no way I can pay any more. There are now three workers out of a job in my shop in the shopping centre because of this.”
Letterkenny Chamber came out in support of Chamber member Mr Greene and the other independent retailers in Letterkenny Shopping Centre.
Joe Mangan, Chamber President said: “Lock-outs and lack of communication is damaging for everyone from the general public, the tenants, the landlord and the whole town of Letterkenny.”
Harcourt Developments did not respond to the Post’s queries before this article went to press.