Galway Bay fm newsroom – Joe Healy has been declared the new president of the IFA on the first count.
The Athenry dairy farmer received 50.3% of the total vote with a total of 14, 122 votes – which puts him head and shoulders above his election rivals Henry Burns (8540) and Flor McCarthy (5431).
It was clear from the early stages of today’s count that Joe’s image of a clean departure from last year’s pay scandal resonated with farmers nationwide.
Throughout the day he took the the lion’s share of IFA regions across the country – including several in what could be considered his rival’s strongholds.
Joe is just the second farmer from the west of Ireland to hold the prestigious role, following previous president John Donnelly from Abbey who was elected in 1994.
His campaign team is inviting all his supporters to a homecoming event at the Raheen Woods Hotel in Athenry tonight – Joe, now the 15th president of the IFA, hopes to make it back from Dublin with his team by 10.30.
Photo: Odile Evans Twitter
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