Downey declares for IFA presidential election

Slane farmer Eddie Downey, who is currently the deputy president of the Irish Farmer’s Association (IFA), has declared his intent to run for the national presidency of the organisation.  Mr Downey made the announcement at a meeting of the Meath IFA executive on Monday night, where he received the full support of the local organisation in his bid to become the first leader of the farmers' body since Tom Clinton in the 1980s.
The powerful farm representative and lobby group represents 88,000 members across 30 executives, and will see presidential elections take place in late November/early December when the current president, John Bryan, steps down after four years in the position.  Mr Downey farms at Monknewtown, Slane, and has been actively involved in IFA politics since 1990.

*Full story in this week's Meath Chronicle