Multimillion Fittings Row

Dublin O2 co-owner Harry Crosbie is being sued for euro 5 million over the cost of fitting out the new Grand Canal Theatre in the south Dublin docklands, according to The Irish Times.

Developer Joe O’Reilly, who controls Ramford, the company behind the development, is suing venue leaseholder Crosbie over who should pick up the bill.

The two sides were due to meet in the Irish Commercial Court Jan. 18.

“There is a small row about the cost of the fit-out and who is to pay what – it is only a small thing,” Crosbie told the paper. “We will be guided by what the judge says on who pays what.”

He said he felt it was “a bit extreme” to be going to court over the matter.

The case isn’t expected to affect the 2,000-seat venue’s scheduled opening on St Patrick’s Day (March 17), which has the Russian State Ballet performing “Swan Lake.”

The Grand Canal Theatre, designed by acclaimed international architect Daniel Libeskind, has already been subject to changes in the team that’s behind it.

Terry Devey, the original promoter of the theatre, sold his interest in the project to Chartered Land, another of O’Reilly’s companies, in 2006. Construction began a year later. Chartered Land then sold its interest in the long-term lease on the site to Crosbie.

Live Nation will now run the theatre primarily to stage international touring shows.