Madam, – The proposed closure of the Beamish and Crawford brewery in Cork has to make one question the point of our Competition Authority.
Heineken says that retaining two breweries in Cork is not sustainable, which I’m sure was a conclusion not beyond the wit of the authority.
Capitalism does not need to be this ugly if it is properly regulated. The purchase of one international drinks company by another, which had nothing to do with the breweries in Cork, means that a local brewery which had been able to operate profitably will close.
Some 120 workers will lose their jobs coming up to Christmas and we Beamish drinkers will find our favoured drink become just another Heineken brand. – Yours, etc,