![\"Michael](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Michael-Flatley-1.jpg\")
Michael Flatley. Pic: Walter McBride\/WireImage<\/p>\nMichael Flatley has been accused of trying to \u2018hijack\u2019 the highly successful Lord of the Dance tour \u2013 in order to strip it of cash to fund his debts and personal lifestyle. <\/p>\n
The allegations are set out in affidavits before the High Court in Belfast in injunction proceedings brought by Switzer Consulting Ltd, the company that now runs the multimillion-euro tour. <\/p>\n
The company has won a temporary order from the court blocking the dancer, who created the show 20 years ago, from interfering in any way. <\/p>\n
Michael Flatley. Pic: Walter McBride\/WireImage<\/p>\n
Switzer Consulting Ltd has accused the Riverdance star<\/a> of allegedly having a \u2018dreadful financial reputation\u2019 and of allegedly asking Aiken Productions and other promoters to divert deposit funds for booked shows directly to him. <\/p>\n Switzer alleged this could put the whole tour in jeopardy, which it claimed would be \u2018catastrophic\u2019 for the cast, production, and tour management who rely on Lord of the Dance for their livelihoods. <\/p>\n Switzer, which is registered in Northern Ireland, is also accusing the American-born, Monaco based dancer, who sprung to fame with Riverdance in 1994, of alleged breach of contract, negligence, trespass, and conspiracy to cause loss.<\/p>\n In a sworn statement before the court, experienced music producer Joe Gallagher said he had first become involved in running the tour in December 2022, after being approached by Flatley\u2019s then-agent Des Walshe.<\/p>\n \u2018I was initially reluctant, as the defendant\u2019s [Flatley\u2019s] industry reputation, particularly in finance, was and is very poor,\u2019 he alleged. However, he said he agreed to run the shows with Switzer, which had put together a strong team to restart the tour business post-Covid. He subsequently became a director of Switzer. <\/p>\n A formal service agreement was agreed between Switzer and Flatley in July 2024, he said. Since then, the tour has thrived, with 260 shows booked this year, across eight to ten countries, with a similar number planned for 2027, and a second troupe of dancers employed. <\/p>\n The tour has a contract value of \u00a34.5m (\u20ac5.2m) this year and \u00a35.7m (\u20ac6.6m) next year, Mr Gallagher claimed. All bookings are done through a contract between a promoter or client and Switzer, he said. <\/p>\n He attributed the turnaround in a \u2018failed business\u2019 to the hard work done by himself and Switzer, noting that new costumes and a new set were in the pipeline for the first time in ten years. <\/p>\n \u2018Historically speaking, instead of reinvesting, the defendant has consistently stripped the business of monies to support his personal lifestyle,\u2019 Mr Gallagher alleged. \u2018\u2026It is only since the plaintiff assumed control of commercial matters that there has been a structured approach to the operation and development of the business. <\/p>\n \u2018Staff are paid up to date, suppliers are fully paid, taxes are paid on time and in full. In an overall context, the business is being run properly.\u2019 <\/p>\n He said Flatley was benefiting from this, as he receives the royalties from each tour, paid directly into his bank account. However, Mr Gallagher alleged that in recent months, Flatley had been seeking to interfere with the business, putting it \u2018in real jeopardy\u2019. <\/p>\n He said he believed this was due to financial difficulties faced by Flatley. Last month, he said Flatley had set up a new Irish-registered business, Feet of Flames, which he believed the former Riverdance star intended to try to use to run the shows. <\/p>\n Mr Gallagher said he had also received a text from Flatley\u2019s current agent, Denis O\u2019Sullivan, telling him he would have no further involvement in anything to do with the Lord of the Dance shows. <\/p>\n Over Christmas, he alleged Flatley had contacted Peter Aiken of Aiken Promotions<\/a>, asking him to divert deposits from booked shows directly to him. <\/p>\n \u2018It is my view that the defendant will try to hijack all existing contracts, and instead of running the business correctly, will strip the business of cash to support his debts and lifestyle,\u2019 he alleged. <\/p>\n He said this ignored the legal position of the 2024 contract and could cause all shows to be cancelled. <\/p>\n \u2018Furthermore, any of the promoters currently dealing with [Switzer] will not deal directly with the defendant, as he has a dreadful financial reputation within the industry,\u2019 he alleged. <\/p>\n He also accused Flatley of having asked cast and crew members of the show to block Switzer contacts, and of having asked promoters in the UK, Eastern Europe and America to redirect money to Feet of Flames. <\/p>\n Mr Gallagher alleged contracting agents \u2018throughout the world\u2019 would not deal with Flatley, due to his history of not paying bills. \u2018Therefore the shows simply won\u2019t go on and will be cancelled,\u2019 he said. <\/p>\n Mr Gallagher said he believed Flatley was in serious financial difficulties, and alleged that his \u2018lenders are effectively controlling his affairs\u2019. <\/p>\n He said Flatley\u2019s debts related to his Co. Cork mansion, Castlehyde, which is the subject of two Commercial Court actions<\/a> in Dublin relating to allegedly faulty renovations. <\/p>\n![\"Michael](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Michael-Flatley-2.jpg\")
Michael Flatley with his wife, Niamh. Pic: Antony Jones\/Getty Images for The Irish Post<\/p>\n![\"Michael](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Michael-Flatley-feature.jpg\")
Michael Flatley. Pic: Ken McKay\/ITV\/REX\/Shutterstock (12851714u)<\/p>\n![\"Michael](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768496049_193_Michael-Flatley-2.jpg\")
Michael Flatley. Pic: David Rose\/REX\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n