Farmers hopes of recovering €3.5m may end with sale
Even as senior sources in IFA promise "tougher" action to secure funding for farmer creditors, one of the new ownershas said it is more likely to be sold on than to be re-opened for meat processing.
IFA and ICMSA leaders have held several meetings with the owners, seeking their help to establish a compensation fund for hundreds of farmers left unpaid by the previous owners.
It is now more than a year since Tralee Beef and Lamb went out of business.
According to an IFA leader, "If this matter is not resolved in the near future by more co-operation from the people involved, IFA will be forced to adopt a much tougher line to secure some recompense for farmers".
He accepted that the purchasers of the plant have no legal obligation to make any payment towards the fund.
But, he added, "they did purchase the plant knowing the situation and knowing that unless they received the goodwill of these farmers and the farmers in general of the area, there would be difficulties for any future operation of the factory". He said that there was no question of expecting the purchasers to meet the outstanding liabilities, but they did expect that they would make a small contribution to a compensation fund.
The IFA have not outlined what approach they will adopt, but they have warned that "patience is running out and a tougher line will be taken unless the matter is resolved".
One of the new owners, Michael O'Shea, told the Farmers Journal, "The farmer creditors are looking for as much money as the place cost us, so at this stage, I'd say we'll just cut our losses and sell it".
