A company linked to developer Treasury Holdings has taken legal action against people who have contracts to buy between 20 and 30 apartments in Spencer Dock on Dublin's north quays.

The Spencer Dock Development Company (SDDC) will ask the courts to force the completion of the sales.

SDDC was in the Chancery Court, a division of the High Court, last week in a case against Austec Building Technologies over its failure to complete the purchase of two apartments at the 600-unit development there.

O'Donnell Sweeney Eversheds is acting for SDDC in that case, which was heard before Mr Justice Frank Clarke. Judge Clarke ruled that SDDC is entitled to a judgement for specific performance in that case and to pursue the company for breach of contract, damages and interest.

A spokeswoman for Treasury Holdings, the property development company, founded by Johnny Ronan and Richard Barrett, which owns the majority of SDDC, declined to comment.

A significant number of the apartments in Spencer Dock were bought by investors. Two-bed apartments there are renting for up to €1,800 a month.

Treasury is also involved in a legal dispute with fellow shareholder Harry Crosbie in relation to the SDDC. Treasury brought a legal case against Crosbie last month seeking to compel him to pay an alleged €3m share of a debt. Lawyers for Crosbie said he will be counter-claiming for some €70m.

Treasury Holdings is the largest developer in Ireland and is involved in numerous projects in the greater Dublin area such as the Montevetro office building, Stillorgan shopping centre, numerous residential schemes, the Westin and Ritz Carlton hotels, and the National Conference Centre. It is planning a high-rise hotel next to the conference centre which is also expected to be operated by Ritz Carlton.

Last week the Sunday Tribune revealed that Treasury Holdings is planning to develop a Zaha Hadid-designed building next to The O2 concert venue in Dublin's north docks.