Angry farmers ‘could turn to violence unless they are paid’

FRUSTRATED farmers, owed more than €3.5m following the collapse of a meat factory, could resort to violence unless they are paid, a prominent IFA member warned yesterday.

Some of the 300-plus farmer creditors of Tralee Beef and Lamb are facing ruin, he claimed, yesterday. Former IFA national council member for Kerry, Phil Healy, said farmers still had received no payment since the factory closed last October, though banks had got paid.

“At this stage, it’s a human rights issue. If farmers can’t get social justice through the accepted channels, they could turn to violence. That’s how desperate and serious they feel about the situation. Some are going to be put out of business if they don’t get paid,’’ he added.

At the weekend, up to 40 farmers were involved in a protest in Waterville, Co Kerry, where hotelier Michael (Haulie) O’Shea, who recently purchased the factory in partnership with Robert Noonan, lives.

Mr Healy said the creditors wanted the purchasers to make a goodwill payment to farmer creditors who are seeking 800,000 euro. The purchasers have already rejected that demand, saying the figure was far too high. Recently, the liquidator of Tralee Beef and Lamb wrote to creditors, saying there was no money for them.

“Not nearly enough is being done for the farmers in this entire situation,’’ Mr Healy claimed.

“The purchasers must make a goodwill payment.”

Meanwhile, IFA president John Dillon has warned that no cattle would go into the factory until a settlement is made to the satisfaction of farmer creditors.

He said the minimum goodwill payment they would accept from the new owners would be 600,000 euro.