Farming community in shock at the sudden death of Laois man and former IFA president Padrag Walshe

The farming community in Laois and the rest of Ireland is in shock at the sudden death of the late IFA President Padraig Walshe.

The IFA President Tim Cullinan led tributes to the Laois man.

“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,” he said.

The IFA leader said Mr Walshe, a dairy farmer from Durrow, 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.”

Tim 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.

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