Three to contest IFA presidency

THE next president of the 85,000 member Irish Farmers Association will be chosen from three leading members, who have been nominated to contest the election.

Ruaidhri Deasy, Aglish, Co Tipperary, current deputy president; Raymond O’Malley, Ardee, Co Louth, vice-president, and Padraig Walshe, Durrow, Co Laois, treasurer, were the anticipated candidates when nominations closed at the weekend.

National Returning Officer Seamus O’Brien confirmed that each candidate received the required nominations, which under new rules, is the endorsement of their own county executive and five other county chairmen.