THE IFA in Donegal are backing a Galway man for the top job in the organisation.
The IFA National Returning Officer Jer Bergin confirmed that three nominations for the position of President of the Irish Farmers Association have been received by the deadline.
Donegal IFA have nominated Farm Business Galway rep Joe Healy. He was also supported by his native county as well as other western counties including Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo and Leitrim.
IFA Livestock Chairman Henry Burns was nominated by Laois, Wexford, Kildare, Offaly, Kilkenny and Wicklow.
IFA Rural Development Chairman Flor McCarthy was nominated by Kerry, Clare, Waterford, Tipperary South, Louth and Meath.
Meanwhile Derek Deane has announced that he had the necessary backing but inadvertently missed the deadline.
The Carlow Chairman said last night that he received the backing of a fifth County Chairman at 17.15 yesterday – 15 minutes ahead of the deadline for nominations.
He also said that the Chairman sent an email to IFA HQ giving his backing to Deane, but it was not received.
Deane is now appealing to the Executive Council of IFA to allow him run in the election, despite missing the 5.30pm deadline on Wednesday.
He said that it is a technical issue that is stopping him being on the ballot paper and is now calling for an emergency meeting of the Executive Council to address the situation.
