IFA opposes Rathkeale chairmanship

A COUNTY Limerick farmer may be about to make history, with one of the shortest ever chairmanships of an IFA branch, following a challenge by the association’s head office to his election.

Pat Culhane was elected chairman of the Rathkeale IFA branch last year, but he has been instructed by the organisation to vacate the position, because of the IFA rule forbidding political party candidates in local, European and general elections from taking up office in the IFA for three years after their candidacy.

Mr Culhane was a Green Party candidate for the Rathkeale area in the Limerick County Council elections of June, 2004.