Laois dairy farmer elected president of IFA

A dairy farmer from Co Laois has won the election to succeed John Dillon as president of the Irish Farmers Association.

Forty-seven-year-old Padraig Walshe was elected to the position last night following a vote count that lasted almost 12 hours.

His rivals - Tipperary Man Ruaidhri Deasy and Louth farmer Raymond O'Malley - conceded defeat early in the day after Walshe surged ahead in first-preference votes.