Former IFA general secretary Pat Smith has launched a second High Court action against the farmer organisation. Smith is bringing a case of defamation against his former employers.

Smith launched proceedings on Friday 15 April, with representation by Dublin solicitors Daniel Spring and Co. He is taking action against his former employer, the IFA, represented by Arthur Cox. There is no indication yet on the timeframe for when the case will be before the courts.

The Irish Farmers Journal contacted Smith’s solicitor Donal Spring, but he declined to comment.

This is Smith’s second High Court action against the IFA. He first launched an action in December 2015, relating to the refusal of the IFA executive council to pay him the €2m severance package he negotiated after resigning from the organisation amid the controversy surrounding his pay levels.

It was revealed in November 2015 that, in 2014, Smith had earned a basic salary of €295,000 with a pension contribution of €150,000, bringing it to a total of €445,000.

Before he resigned, Smith negotiated a €2m severance package but after the resignation of former president Eddie Downey, who signed off on the package, the rest of the IFA’s executive council vowed not to pay him the money.

Smith resigned as general secretary of the IFA on 19 November last. A week later, former IFA president Eddie Downey announced that he too was resigning.

The IFA did not comment on the legal proceedings when contacted by the Irish Farmers Journal.

Again, there is still no indication as to when this case will be heard in the courts.