Courts / Limerick / Report

'Limerick Whiskey' row resolved

Date
2021-07-20

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Limerick

Summary

A High Court dispute concerning the use of the name 'Limerick Whiskey' has been resolved. The action was brought by Mr Nicholas Ryan and Limerick Spirits Company Ltd against Mssrs Anthony Foote, Liam McInerney, and Michael Fitzgerald, along with Limerick Distillery Company Ltd. The plaintiffs sought injunctions to prevent the defendants from using the 'Limerick Whiskey' name, restraining them from using allegedly confidential information, and prohibiting them from representing that their products were approved by the plaintiffs. Additionally, the plaintiffs sought orders to delete or surrender social media channels, web domains, and trademarks referring to the brand. The defendants denied any wrongdoing, arguing the claims were baseless and that no sensitive information was disclosed during 2019 discussions. Mr Justice Senan Allen had previously granted permission for the proceedings. On Tuesday, the matter returned before the judge, where counsel for the defendants, Paul Coughlan BL, informed the court that the dispute had been resolved and the proceedings could be struck out. No details of the settlement arrangement were disclosed in open court. The court accepted the resolution, effectively concluding the litigation without a final judgment on the merits.