Waterford bottling firm seeks court protection as it seeks to save 115 jobs

Russian invasion of Ukraine had caused significant increases in the price of glass, labels, cardboard as well as spare parts and consumables

The plant bottles many of Ireland’s most famous brands such as Midleton Very Rare, Redbreast, Paddy, Cork Dry Gin, Writers Tears, as well as Irishman and Waterford, among others.

The loss of the Russian market and the rise in energy costs due to that country’s invasion of Ukraine had led to a Waterford-based drinks blending, bottling and labelling company seeking court protection from its creditors, a judge was told on Friday.

Barrister Ross Gorman, on behalf of Admiralford Limited, whose biggest customer is Irish Distillers, was granted an order appointing an interim examiner to temporarily run the company’s affairs in a bid to save it from collapse and the loss of 115 full- and part-time jobs in and around Waterford.