Mishandled it when type of whiskey associated with Limerick Leader was taken out (10)

I believe the answer is:

maltreated

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'mishandled it when type of whiskey associated with limerick leader' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'was taken out' is the wordplay.
'was' becomes 'mal' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'taken out' becomes 'treated' (I've seen this before).
'mal'+'treated'='MALTREATED'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for maltreated that I've seen is " Abused".)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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