Spears elected chairman of county IFA

Damian McCarney

James Spears will lead the county’s IFA after he was elected to succeed out-going chairman Jim O’Rourke at Monday night’s meeting of the IFA county executive.
Newly elected IFA national president Eddie Downey was on hand at the well attended meeting in the Lavey Inn, Stradone to congratulate Poles man Jim Spears on his election.
Mr Spears, who had been the vice chairman for the last term of four years, narrowly defeated Elizabeth Orminston in the keenly contested race for the chair’s position. The former farm business chairperson in the county was the only other candidate.
James Spears was relieved to have been elected as he admitted being “very anxious” in the run up to the election. He said he was “very very pleased” when the result was announced.
“I’m 30 years an officer in the county. I started at branch level secretary and I worked up to executive level, and I served on three different committees. I have been the vice chairman for the last four years and I took up that position hoping to go forward as chairman, and I really really wanted it.
I worked for it, I’ve been in Dublin every year with James O’Rourke, we worked together tirelessly and I will continue to work tirelessly for the organisation.
“I’m very proud of the IFA, I believe it’s a great organisation - we’d probably have no agriculture in the country only for it.” He commiserated with Ms Orminston, saying she ran a “powerful campaign”. He said it was “very close” between the candidates in the final count, and added that he hoped to see her back on the executive in the future.
Many compliments were paid to outgoing chairman Jim O’Rourke for his work and fair handling of difficult situations, particularly the CAP negotiations, over the past four years. Mr Spears lauded Jim “as a super chairman” and said he hoped to be able to follow his example.
“Jim was a great worker, had a great temper and was just what Cavan needed over the last four years and I hope I can take a leaf out of his book for the next four years.”
“I know the vaue of the organisation, that’s why I did it - we have to fight [for resources] like every other sector,” Mr O’Rourke told The Anglo-Celt after the meeting. “I’m depending on agriculture for a living and I felt it was very important for me to do my stint for the organisation.”
Jim is expecting Mr Spears, who lives about a mile from him, to excell as chairman.
“James is a very strong minded individual and is an extremely hard worker which will come through in his leadership of the organisation. James won’t be found wanting.”