Senator Garret Ahearn has highlighted that Jameson whiskey bottled in Dublin last December is on open sale in Moscow. The Senator has shared images of a label that shows the bottling date of December 16th 2022 from the Clondalkin plant. Senator Ahearn, is calling for manufacturers Pernod Ricard to be added to the EU sanctions list at the next Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting.
The French company resumed shipments to Russia last year after initially stalling exports following Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine. Last month, the company said they were working to stop the export of drinks, including Jameson Irish whiskey, to Russia but no firm date was announced. Pernod Ricard has condemned the invasion of Ukraine by Russia but says “the reality of exiting Russia is complex and extremely challenging” – it has approximately 60 staff in Russia. The company also says it cannot control activity in what it calls the “Grey Market” which it says has “strongly increased in recent months”.
Senator Ahearn says the time has come for international action to be taken as the French company won’t show unity with the European Union. The Senator says the Irish Government should intervene, to protect Ireland’s reputation and that of Ireland’s world renowned products.
