Thompson re-elected

ICSA president Malcolm Thompson and several current position holders were re-elected unopposed at the recent ICSA national executive meeting.

The contest of the evening was for the national executive’s nominee to the management committee.

The packed house was treated to lively presentations by candidates Brendan McLaughlin, the Donegal county chairman, and current position holder, who was pitching against Gabriel Gilmartin, the Sligo county chairman. In the end, the Sligo man prevailed by a modest majority, having also been elected unopposed to the national rural development chair. The previous incumbent, Leitrim’s John Flynn, vacated his RD seat to assume the role of honorary secretary.

But all was not lost for Brendan McLaughlin. He was elected national suckler chairman unopposed, replacing Wexford’s Frank Kehoe, who stepped down. Dermot Kelleher, of West Cork , was elected unopposed as the suckler vice chairman.

Other results included Wicklow’s Mervyn Sunderland, who was re-elected unopposed, and Laois’s Seán Scully, who was elected national beef chairman. Seán will be ably assisted by new beef vice chairman Martin Coughlan, from Waterford.

ICSA general secretary Eddie Punch thanked office holders for work.