Ger O’Brien has been elected the new chair of Tirlán, succeeding John Murphy, following board elections this Friday.

Murphy has been chair of the co-op since 2020 and had sought re-election as chair.

O’Brien was appointed to the board on 1 June 2018. The Waterford man farms at Camphire, Cappoquin.

He held the role of vice chair of Tirlán from 2024 to 2025.

Speaking following his appointment, O’Brien said: "I look forward to continuing to work on behalf of co-op members and build on the strong foundations that have been established by my predecessors over many decades.

“On behalf of Tirlán Co-op, I would also like to thank the outgoing chairperson John G Murphy for his leadership and dedication to his role as chairperson for the last five and a half years.

"He has presided over a period of transformational change for the organisation, culminating in farmers returning to full ownership of the Irish business and very significant value distribution to our co-op’s members. He can be extremely proud of his contribution as chairperson," he said.

Vice-chairs

Two new vice-chairs were also elected to the Tirlán board on Friday, with the elections of Dan Lynch and Larry Hannon.

They replace Bill Caroll and Tom Phelan.

Hannon milks over 200 cows near Ballitore in Co Kildare and was appointed to the board in 2022. He is currently vice-chair of the National Dairy Council.

Lynch was appointed to the board in 2023 and farms in Condonstown, Watergrasshill, Co Cork.

New board members

Tirlán confirmed the appointment of six new board members following its AGM which was held on Wednesday. The six new directors who were elected by their respective regions are:

  • Gerard Brady, northern region.
  • Denis Fagan, northern region.
  • Jim Mulhall, north Kilkenny region.
  • David O’Dwyer, south Wexford region.
  • Alan Stephenson, Donaghmore / Monasterevin region.
  • Jonathan Tighe, east Waterford region.

    • The appointments arise following the retirement of six directors from the co-op’s board at the AGM:

  • Eamonn McEnteggart, northern region.
  • Denis O’Sullivan, northern region.
  • John Regan, north Kilkenny region.
  • Robbie Barron, south Wexford region.
  • Tom Phelan, Donaghmore / Monasterevin region.
  • Brendan Hayes, east Waterford region.