Former IFAC CEO Peadar Murphy takes co-op sector’s top honour
The Plunkett Award is the premier honorary award made by ICOS annually. It is presented to one individual each year who is regarded as having made an outstanding lifelong contribution to the co-operative movement in Ireland.
“Peadar Murphy has made an exceptional contribution to the co-operative movement throughout his career and notably as CEO of the Irish Farm Accounts Committee from 1978 to 2004 and as a voluntary trustee of the IFAC Pension Scheme,” said ICOS president, Martin Keane.
During his leadership, IFAC undertook a major reorganisation of the nationwide network of local farm accounts groups which supported co-operative farmers in managing their farm accounts.
All groups amalgamated with IFAC and all clients became IFAC shareholders whereas previously they had been members of local groups.
A board was established, elected by shareholders. Accounts recording personnel, who had previously worked for local groups, were subsequently contracted directly to IFAC.
IFAC went on to set up its own accounts analysis unit, a taxation advisory service and it opened 20 branch offices around the country, serving the farming community.
“Irish farming has benefited from Peadar Murphy’s intelligence, drive and commitment where IFAC is a cornerstone of Irish co-operative farming and rural development.
He has devoted an enormous proportion of his life and energy to the co-op movement for the benefit of Irish farming in general and he is a worthy recipient of this prestigious award which is named after Horace Plunkett, founder of the Irish co-operative movement,” said Martin Keane.
An active member of the Agricultural Science Association throughout his career, Mr Murphy served on its national council for six years and as treasurer for three years. He was also general secretary of Macra na Feirme from 1970 to 1977.
