Galvin elected IFA chairman in Limerick

A QUALIFIED civil engineer who opted for a career in full-time farming has been elected Limerick IFA chairman in the first election for the position in almost three decades.

Shay Galvin (44) from Croom defeated Donal O’Brien of Pallaskenry after an intensely fought election campaign.

Mr Galvin is the outgoing secretary of the county executive and a former member of the IFA’s national grain committee.

The married father of three runs a beef and tillage operation with his brother John and his father, also John.

Support

After his election, Mr Galvin told those in attendance at the Dunraven Arms Hotel, Adare, that there was a need for the IFA “to be more proactive rather than reactive” in representing the interests of farmers.

Donal O’Brien committed his full support to the new county chairman and appealed to his supporters to do likewise.

“IFA is rising out of the ashes again and hopefully will be stronger than ever because it is our only hope for the future,” he said.

A suckler farmer, Mr O’Brien hit the headlines when he staged a five-day sit-in at the Department of Agriculture to secure the release of €34m in direct payments.

The last time there was an election for county chairman was in 1988 when John Dillon was elected to the position. He was later elected IFA president.

In Kerry, Pat O’Driscoll from Valentia Island has been elected chairman in a three-way contest, while, in Tipperary North, the outgoing chairman, Tim Cullinan, was unanimously re-elected.