A notorious Belfast prison that held IRA inmates during the worst of the city’s sectarian strife is to be transformed into a whiskey distillery as the North tries to revive its economy.

IF the world’s biggest spirits company Diageo wants to be a leading player in American whiskey, the experience of another major company attempting a US merger won’t give it much cause for cheer.

DRINKS giant Pernod Ricard was given a clear run at Allied Domecq yesterday when a rival pulled out of the takeover race.

Drinks giant Pernod Ricard was given a clear run at Allied Domecq today when a rival pulled out of the takeover race.

Drinks giant Pernod Ricard should be ready to serve up a £7.4bn (€10.8bn) takeover deal for rival Allied Domecq later this week, reports indicated today.

Drinks giant Allied Domecq today confirmed it was the subject of takeover interest from rival French group Pernod Ricard, which counts Midleton, Jameson, Powers and Bushmills whiskeys among its brands.

Fresh takeover talk surrounding Allied Domecq failed to keep the FTSE 100 Index in the black today.