Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill says US trade tariffs played a part in the collapse of the Killarney Brewing and Distilling Company, which confirmed this week that it will cease operations after the failure of the examinership process.

The closure will result in the loss of around 50 jobs and casts doubt over the future of locally purchased whiskey casks. Cahill described the outcome as “a great shock” and said the closure would have “a devastating” effect on some in the local economy.
He also claimed the imposition of tariffs on Irish whiskey by US President Donald Trump added further difficulty for the company’s export plans. “Nobody could have foreseen the tariffs, which make for nervous investors,” he said.
The company had been in examinership since April. A planned merger with a US-based investor fell through earlier this year, and no new investment was secured during the court-mandated restructuring window.
In a statement, the company blamed a combination of COVID-related setbacks, delays in opening its Fossa distillery, rising costs, and global economic uncertainty. “Despite the best efforts of all involved, the process did not result in a successful investment outcome,” it said.
Michael Cahill said he is willing to facilitate meetings with stakeholders to explore rescue options. “We need to work fast and smart here if we are to pull this back from the brink,” he said.