Vet council’s president resigns seven months into term

President of the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) Joseph Walsh has resigned from his post, as well as resigning from the council itself.

The resignation came at a VCI council meeting on Wednesday, seven months after Walsh was appointed in January.

The VCI is the independent statutory body responsible for the regulation of the practise of veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing, in the public interest and in the interests of animal health and welfare.

“I have decided to resign as president and as a member of the council,” Walsh said in a statement issued after Wednesday’s meeting.

“I would like to express my thanks to all members of the council and to the executive for the sterling work they do in support of standards of veterinary practice and animal welfare.”

Walsh is a vet and is a partner in a four-person mixed practice in Carrick-On-Suir, Co Tipperary. He also works as a veterinary officer for the Irish Horse Racing Board at point-to-points.

The council accepted Walsh’s resignation and thanked him for his contribution to the body, to the veterinary profession and to the general public over the last four and half years, which includes his time leading the VCI.

The VCI has said it will consider the process for electing a successor at its meeting in September.