Published: Friday, 11th December, 2009 12:56pm

Downey appeals for high Meath turnout in IFA elections

by John Donohoe

Voting in the Irish Farmers Association leadership elections is underway and the national count will be held in Dublin on Monday 21st December. A weighted branch voting system will operate to reflect the strength of turnout by branch members, and Eddie Downey of Slane, Meath's candidate for deputy president, has called on Meath members to ensure that their voice is heard in these elections and asks that his candidacy for deputy president be supported, placing the county at the heart of IFA national decision-making.

There are a total of 15 candidates for the top six IFA positions, directly elected by the association's 85,000 members: President, deputy president and the four regional vice presidents covering Munster, South Leinster, Ulster/North Leinster and Connacht.

The candidates for president are Kilkenny county chairman John Bryan from Inistioge, deputy president Derek Deane from Hacketstown, Co Carlow and National Dairy Committee chairman Richard Kennedy from Clarina, Co Limerick. The new president will take over from Padraig Walshe at the 2010 IFA AGM in mid January.

In the race for deputy president, Meath County chairman Eddie Downey from Slane and Munster vice president Sean O'Leary go head to head.

In Ulster/North Leinster, there are three candidates. Westmeath's Paddy Donnelly has been endorsed by the Louth chairman, Farm Family chair Mary Sherry of Monaghan is supported by the Cavan chairman and Longford's John Waters has been endorsed by the Donegal chairman.

In Meath, branch elections take place on the following dates: Ardcath (Wed 16th); Ashbourne (Wed 16th); Athboy (Mon 14th); Ballinacree (Mon 14th); Ballinlough (Fri 11th); Ballivor (Fri 9th); Carnaross (Wed 16th); Castlejordan (Wed 2nd); Clonmellon (Fri 11th); Cortown (Wed 16th); Culmullen (Fri 11th); Drumconrath (Mon 14th); Dunboyne (Thurs 10); Dunshaughlin (Tue 8th); East Meath (Wed 16th); Kells (Mon 14th); Kentstown (Mon 14th); Kilbeg (Mon 14th); Kilcloon (Mon 16th); Kildalkey (Thurs 10th); Kilmessan (Tue 15th); Kilskyre (Fri 11th); Kiltale (Mon 14th); Lobinstown (Tue 15th); Longwood (Wed 16th); Moynalvey (Fri 11th); Navan (Tue 15th); Nobber

(Tue 15th); Oristown (Wed 16th) Rathkenny (Tue 1st); Rathmolyon (Thurs 10th); Skryne (Wed 16th); Slane (Thurs 10th); Summerhill

(Wed 9th); Tierworker (Tue 15th); Trim (Mon 14th); Ughtyneill Moynalty (Fri 11th).

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