Two men are doing battle in an Irish court over the Game of Thrones throne

THE OWNER OF an official Game of Thrones ‘Iron Throne’ replica, which is being commercially showcased all over Ireland, has issued legal proceedings against a business partner who allegedly plans to remove it from the country.

Mark Russell claims that he and Stephen Cronin Saleh agreed last March to purchase and exploit the HBO-licensed replica of the throne used in the fantasy drama TV series Game of Thrones.

The court heard that Russell bought the throne which was then licensed to Cronin Saleh, of Glanmire, Co Cork. Cronin Saleh had been granted an option to buy the throne and both parties had agreed to a profit-share arrangement.

Russell, an IT consultant, alleges that he bought the hand-painted fiberglass and fire-proof resin throne, which measures 7.2ft and weighs 160kg, for €13,465 in Canada.

Barrister Stephen Moran, counsel for Russell, of Smithfield, Dublin, said his client had also paid €1,535 for the shipping expenses.

The court heard the throne was to remain Russell’s property until Cronin Saleh had repaid the entire purchase price and the ownership title would then be transferred to Cronin Saleh.

Russell claims they had also agreed to incorporate a company, Fancosmic Ltd, and that he would get 35% of its shares. He had been registered as a director of the company.

The court heard that the throne was to be displayed at events and shopping centres in Ireland and in the UK, and members of the public would be given the opportunity to sit in it and have their picture taken for a €10 to €25 fee.

Moran said Russell also lent Cronin Saleh a further €5,000 to fund working capital.

The Iron Throne from the HBO series

Loss of access

However Russell alleges that Cronin Saleh removed him as a director of Fancosmic last June. He had also removed his access privileges and cancelled all his permissions regarding the company.

The court heard that Cronin Saleh had refused to speak to Russell since last May and had failed to return the throne to him. Cronin Saleh had also failed to repay the €20,000 sum.

Counsel said his client believes that Cronin Saleh intends to remove the throne from the country and Russell was now seeking an injunction against him and against Fancosmic.

In his proceedings, Russell seeks various orders including a judgment against Cronin Saleh and Fancosmic in the sum of €20,000 and an order requiring the return of the throne to him. He also seeks an order restraining Cronin Saleh from removing the throne from Ireland without a written consent from him.

Judge James O’Donohoe accepted an undertaking by Cronin Saleh, who appeared in court today, not to remove the throne from the country until the full hearing of the application next week.

The court heard that when the throne was displayed at the Mahon Point shopping centre in Cork last April, Fancosmic generated €7,500.