The legal dispute involving Dublin's Silk Road Café and its landlord, the Chester Beatty Library, is expected to move toward arbitration after the landlord announced plans to seek court approval to refer the matter to that process.

The conflict arose after concerns that the café would be forced to close during Ireland’s European Union Presidency because of heightened security measures at Dublin Castle.

Earlier in the week, the café operator, Hannah’s Coffee Shop Limited, obtained an interim injunction preventing the landlord from interfering with the business or removing its equipment.Following the court order, staff regained access to the premises, preserved food supplies, and resumed limited operations.

During a court hearing, lawyers for the café stated that the Office of Public Works (OPW) had clarified it did not object to the café remaining open, provided all employees completed the required Garda security accreditation.

The OPW explained that security restrictions at Dublin Castle were based on recommendations from law enforcement and defense authorities rather than directives issued by the agency itself.

Access to the castle complex will be tightly controlled from late June through the end of the year, with only accredited individuals permitted inside the security perimeter.

The Chester Beatty Library argues that the café initiated court proceedings despite an arbitration clause contained in its licensing agreement and intends to seek a stay on the litigation so the dispute can be resolved through arbitration.The court granted permission for that application to proceed.Until further hearings take place, the café may continue operating as long as its staff comply with the required security procedures.The matter is scheduled to return to court in July, while the arbitration-related application is expected to be heard later that month.