For the past number of months, the accountant Neil Hughes has been negotiating frantically to salvage Premier Periclase, a magnesium manufacturing plant in Co Louth currently in examinership that employs 94 people. Hughes, the managing partner of accountancy firm Baker Tilly, thought he had a deal to sell the plant to Calix, a publicly listed Australian energy-technology company with a market capitalisation of €933 million. However, on April 6, Calix said it was pulling out of the transaction, citing “operational uncertainty” due to fluctuating natural gas prices as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. With just weeks left to…

Join The Currency

Sign up today: Full annual membership for just €200.

Don’t miss out on what is going on with our daily unique stories from our team of skilled journalists and insightful commentators.

Members of The Currency get full access to over 2,500 exclusive interviews, investigations, and analysis, plus over 180 podcasts.

Annual membership is just €200 for the first year, a saving of €100.

Or try The Currency for the first month for a special introductory rate of €5, a saving of €20.

Cancel at any time.

To become a member today click here.