ICOS former president recognised for his exceptional contribution

THE Irish Cooperative Organisation Society (ICOS) has awarded the Plunkett Award for Co-operative Endeavour to its former president Donie Cashman for his exceptional contribution to Irish agriculture.

Mr Cashman is also a former IFA national president, a founder of the Irish Farm Accounts Co-operative, a board member of the Agricultural Trust, chairman of Enable Ireland and a lifelong contributor to national and community causes.

ICOS president Pat McLoughlin said: “In a lifetime of endeavour to date, Donie Cashman has contributed selflessly to the co-operative movement, to the advancement of Irish agriculture and to the betterment of society in general.

“His unstinting personal contribution and his exemplary humanity and generosity of spirit are recognised by this prestigious award which bears the name of Plunkett, the founder of the Irish co-operative movement.”

An accomplished dairy farmer, Mr Cashman was accompanied at the ceremony by his wife Peggy and son Teddy.

A native of Coole, Whitescross, Co Cork, he has served on the board of ICOS for 25 years.

He also represented Ireland as vice-president of the European farmers movement COPA from 1980 to 1982 and as a member of the European Economic and Social Committee from 1982 to 1988.

He served as vice president of the EU co-operatives agricultural umbrella body COGECA in 2003 and 2004 and was elected president of COGECA in 2005.

In 1999, he was appointed chairman of Cerebral Palsy Ireland, now Enable Ireland, where he has presided over a significant development and restructuring programme.

He has been a supporter of Enable Ireland’s Cork services since 1992.

In 1968 he became a council member of the NFA, chairing the inaugural meeting of the IFA in 1971, serving as its first deputy president in 1972 and as national president from 1980 to 1984.