Tributes to former IFA President Padraig Walshe who has died

IFA President Tim Cullinan is leading tributes to former IFA President Padraig Walshe, who has died.

The farming community was in shock at the news that former IFA President Padraig Walshe, a dairy farmer from Durrow, in Co Laois, had died suddenly, yesterday.

“This is devastating news for his family. On behalf of the farming community, I want to extend our condolences to his family and friends. This is a huge loss for them and it’s a very difficult time,” Tim Cullinan.

Padraig Walshe was President of Macra na Feirme from 1987 to 1989, and served as President of IFA from 2006 to 2010. He was the first Irish person to be made President of COPA, the European farmers' group, following time with CEJA, the European group for young farmers.

Mr Cullinan said Padraig Walshe was a passionate advocate for the development of the farming sector and always insisted that science was the way forward. Through many campaigns at home and abroad, he was fearless in defending farmers.

 “Padraig Walshe leaves a strong legacy of leadership of farmers, from his time as President of Macra na Feirme, to President of the IFA and also as the first Irish leader to head up the European group of farmers COPA.”

Mr Cullinan said that Padraig Walshe served farmers with distinction in a career that stretches back to 1987 when he was elected President of Macra na Feirme. He subsequently served as Chairman of the IFA Dairy Committee and as IFA National Treasurer.

In 2006, he became the 12th President of the Irish Farmers Association and in 2009, he had the honour of being elected by farm leaders from across Europe as President of COPA.

Padraig Walshe chaired Farmer Business Developments following his roles in IFA and he continued as a director of FBD until his untimely passing.

Fine Gael MEP Seán Kelly said he worked closely with Mr Walshe at the European Parliament  and described his passing as an enormous loss to his family and to agriculture.

Mr Walshe is survived by his wife Ella and children Julieanne, Elma, Catherine and Pat. Funeral arrangements later.