Charity has been ‘in crisis’ for last five years

Livestock aid charity Bóthar has recorded a €1.3m deficit for 2012 and has been “in crisis” for the past five years, according to its new chief executive.

Peter Ireton, who founded the charity 22 years ago and retired as chief executive in 2011, was reinstated by the board to his former role last week. He had been company secretary following retirement.

Mr Ireton denied the action by the board had anything to do with year-on-year losses recorded by the charity. He said there was no danger of Bóthar folding.