Sector in mourning after sudden death of agri-business father-figure
A native of Barryroe, Co Cork, he was born into a strong farming family.
He graduated from UCC with a degree in economics and history and joined the IAOS (later renamed ICOS) in 1950 as a field officer in the Munster region.
He became IAOS’s director general in 1983.
Actively involved in the creamery rationalisation programmes of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, he had an invaluable insight into the co-operative movement.
He also represented Irish co-operatives on the board of COGECA, the central body of European Co-operatives.
He retired from ICOS in 1989.
A strong proponent of the co-operative movement, he joined the Board of the Irish Agricultural Wholesale Society Ltd (IAWS Co-operative) in 1981.
Mr Moloney, who is survived by his wife and daughter, was appointed chairman of IAWS Group plc in 1991 and continued in that role until 2003.
He remained a director until earlier this year.
ICOS, the national umbrella body for co-ops, honoured him with the 2005 Plunkett Award for co-operative endeavour.
The award is presented each year to one individual who is regarded as having made an outstanding contribution to the rural co-operative movement in Ireland.
Presenting the award, ICOS president Padraig Gibbons, said that under Jim Moloney’s chairmanship, IAWS became one of the most successful co-operatives in the country by developing shareholder value.
“With a turnover of over €1.3 billion, “Jim played a crucial role in the repositioning of IAWS. As director general of ICOS, he was instrumental in playing a pivotal role in promoting the co-operative ideal.”
