Cablelink applied to the High Court yesterday for orders preventing interference by Esat Telecommunications with ducts for cables at the International Financial Services Centre.
In proceedings before Mr Justice O'Sullivan, Cablelink is seeking orders against the Custom House Docks Development Company and Esat compelling both companies to remove cabling or other material from ducts situated on the property of the CHDDC at the International Financial Services Centre, if such removal is necessary to ensure Cablelink has two ducts available for its exclusive use pursuant to an agreement between itself and the CHDDC.
Making the application, Mr Paul Sreenan SC, for Cablelink, said his client had come to an agreement about 1996 with the CHDDC where Cablelink would pay for the installation at the IFSC of a bank of ducts which would be used also by other telecommunications companies.
It was agreed that two ducts would be dedicated for Cablelink's use, although no particular ducts were specified.
Earlier this year, the CHDDC had granted Esat a licence to use a certain number of ducts in the IFSC, counsel said. But, he said, Esat had begun using the ducts cleaned out by Cablelink for its own use.
The defendants deny the allegations. CHDDC says Cablelink has no exclusive right to two ducts throughout the IFSC.
Esat says it has invested some £600,000 in setting up its own network within the IFSC.
The hearing continues today.