Moloney receives top co-op honour
His outstanding contribution to the rural co-operative movement in Ireland was praised when ICOS president Padraig Gibbons presented him with the Plunkett Award.
Mr Moloney, who was born into a strong farming family, 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 was appointed assistant secretary of the IAOS in 1963 and became secretary in 1978. Five years later, he became director general of the society. He was involved in creamery rationalisation programmes from the 60s to the 80s.
Mr Moloney has also represented Irish co-ops on the board of COGECA, the central body of European Co-operatives. He retired from ICOS in 1989. He joined the board of the Irish Agricultural Wholesale Society Ltd (IAWS Co-operative) in 1981.
He was appointed chairman of IAWS Group plc in 1991, continued in that role until 2003 and is still a board member.
Presenting the award, Mr Gibbons said under Jim Moloney’s chairmanship, IAWS became one of the most successful co-operatives in the country.
With a turnover of over €1.3 billion, Jim played a crucial role in the repositioning of IAWS.
“This is borne out by the extent of his contribution to the wider co-operative movement in Ireland since his initial involvement in 1951 and the high regard and esteem he continues to be held in,” Mr Gibbons said.
