O’Leary is currently the chairman of Bandon Co-op and vice chairman of Carbery Group. He replaces Donal Tobin, who stepped down last week.

Carbery's new chairman is a dairy farmer from Gurteenomahon, Enniskeane. He has been chairman of Bandon Co-op since last July and has served as chairman of Bandon Co-op. O'Leary was on the board of Carbery between 2009 and 2011 and the board of ICOS.

"It is a great honour to become chairman of Carbery, I am very much aware that it is also a great responsibility as Carbery is a very important business for the dairy farmers and for the general economy of West Cork," he said.

"I look forward to leading the business, particularly as we move into the post quota era when farmers will have the freedom to maximise their output and efficiency in the years ahead.”

O’Leary also paid tribute to former chairman Donal Tobin.

“Donal has put much time and effort into this business over the years and Carbery has progressed under his leadership. I would like to sincerely thank him for his contribution," he said.