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19th Mar 2020

Irish Distillers to make hand sanitising gel for the HSE

Alan Loughnane

Great to see.

Irish Distillers, creators of Jameson and Middleton whiskey, has announced that it is to start making hand sanitising gel during the Covid-19 crisis.

Demand for hand sanitiser and face masks has risen sharply in recent weeks as related uses in hospitals have increased alongside members of the general public trying to insulate themselves from the virus.

The company said that it, along with their partners in Mervue Laboratories in Cork, approached the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive earlier this week to inform them that they were in a position to help in this area.

“Our distillery in Midleton, together with our partners Mervue Laboratories in Cork, have the necessary products and supply chain available to manufacture large-scale quantities of alcohol gel and to make this available for use by healthcare authorities on the frontline in the period ahead,” the company noted in a statement to JOE.

“Large-scale quantities of alcohol is being made available free of charge by Irish Distillers. Production will commence immediately with end product being delivered to the HSE’s supply centre thereafter for distribution to hospitals and other healthcare facilities.”

Irish Distillers said it would provide the alcohol for free while Mervue Laboratiories will only recover their costs for their work.

At a time of national crisis, the company said that it hoped the move would help healthcare professionals in their battle to protect the country from the virus.