Balloting gets under way to elect Walshe’s successor as IFA chief

BALLOTING to elect the next president of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) began last night. The first votes were cast in more than 70 of the IFA’s 947 branches countrywide.

Voting will continue in the other branches up to December 16 and the national count will take place in Dublin on December 21. Among the branches voting last night were Ardrahan, Co Galway, and Banagher, Co Offaly, both of which have been seriously affected by the recent flooding.

IFA national returning officer Ruaidhri Deasy said he expected a large turnout despite the recent difficulties farmers have experienced in the area.