Alltech founder in ‘Rich List’ top 10

A NUMBER of people from the agri sector feature in the Sunday Independent’s Rich List.

In the top 10 richest people in Ireland is Pearse Lyons, founder and owner of Alltech, the animal nutrition company that bought out Keenan diet feeders last year.

Lyons is estimated to be worth €3.3bn and is cited as the fifth richest person in Ireland, with his wealth estimated to be up by €400m.

Next on the list are the Cleary family at No 20. With an estimated wealth of €850m, the Cleary family’s wealth is from inheritance from their farmer-turneddeveloper father.

Larry Goodman comes in at No 22, estimated to be worth €780m. Goodman extended his share of the Irish beef market during the year with a stake in Slaney Meats. However, Goodman’s operations have been hit by currency fluctuations.

Windfarms

Bert Allen and family make the list at No 26, with an estimated wealth of €605m. The family have had significant pay days in the past year from the sale of Slaney Foods and a group of windfarms.

Further down the list, at No 58, are Peter and John Queally, who are valued at €270m.

The Queally brothers set up Dawn Meats in 1980 which as become one of Europe’s largest privately-owned companies. As an unlimited company, it does not file accounts but in 2006 sales topped €900m. They have a significant stake in the French meat company Elivia.