A five-star hotel manager has Dublin District Court that he is terrified of the consequences unruly behaviour of patrons of an adjoining nightclub could have on international business.
John Kavanagh, general manager of the Fitzwilliam Hotel on St Stephen's Green, Dublin, said the effect of a single complaint from a customer of the luxury hotel may not be known for some time unless something was done about how the running of the adjoining Dandelion Club.
He was speaking during the hearing of objections by the hotel to the renewal of the dance licence for the club owned by millionaire publican Liam O'Dwyer, who denies his premises is not properly run.
"We are terrified of the effect it [the club] is having on our business and we invest heavily in promotion worldwide," Mr Kavanagh said. "Any single complaint could have an effect, but it won't be seen until a year's time."
The court heard the hotel, which holds one of the country's two-star Michelin restaurant awards, opened 7½ years ago and enjoyed a "peaceful existence" while the Planet Hollywood restaurant operated in the premises now occupied by the Dandelion.
When Mr O'Dwyer took over, the hotel objected to its conversion from a restaurant to a nightclub, with the case going all the way to the Supreme Court before it was sent back to An Bord Pleanála, which gave the go- ahead for a change of use.
Since then, guests have had to put up with the hotel entrance being blocked by clubbers queuing, singing, shouting, smoking and drinking and, on at least one occasion, a girl vomiting on the street.
A sound expert had recorded noise levels from revellers, as heard from one of the bedrooms above the club, well above acceptable levels.
Hotel employees last weekend photographed and recorded patrons' unruly behaviour inside and outside the club. Security was very poor, they said, with one man smoking inside the club, another asleep near the dance floor, glass strewn on the floor and a fight almost breaking out.
The club says it provides adequate security and has taken steps to limit noise from music inside the building in response to the hotel's complaints.
Judge Mary Collins adjourned the case for a date for evidence from the club to be given. In the meantime, she said, the club could take steps to address concerns in relation to behaviour on the street outside.