Cork butcher expands product range

THE fourth generation Cork butcher shop that was embroiled in controversy last year has invested €1.3 million in the launch of a range of new products, which will be distributed to major supermarkets in Ireland.

The move by O’Donovan’s of Princes Street will create 12 jobs and will see a new range of breakfast meats being distributed by Musgrave into Supervalu, Centra and Dunnes Stores.

The company said the launch of the products is a strategic move to expand it’s business beyond its Cork stores at Princes Street and Wilton Shopping Centre.

O’Donovan’s employs 65 people across its businesses and plans to recruit the additional employees into the new retail products division.

O’Donovan’s is also engaging in extensive in-store promotions and tastings in supermarkets throughout Munster.

General manager of the retail products division and great grandson of the company’s founder, Bill Thuillier said: “We spent more than six months researching and testing the nutrition, shelf life and taste of all our products to ensure we deliver the same levels of quality our customers have enjoyed for the last 106 years.”

O’Donovan’s said they adhere to a strict policy of selecting only premium 100% Irish meat which is fully traceable.

The O’Donovan’s story started in Cork city when West Cork farmer Hannah O’Donovan, set up as a provisions retailer in 1901.

In June 2006 O’Donovan’s was caught up in a dispute with workers, who held 45-hour sit-in.

This followed a decision by the 106-year-old company to close its stores, with the loss of 28 full-time and part-time jobs.

However agreement was reached between management and Mandate, the trade union representing workers at O’Donovan’s enabling the continuation of the business.