Tag Archives: Willie Hanrahan

TRICOLOURS and American flags were waving in the May breeze on Wednesday in the centre of Doonbeg, as the Trump visit approaches. Local farmer Willie Hanrahan is the chairman of the IFA in Clare and he said it is a huge opportunity for Doonbeg. “There’s a great buzz around the place and it’s mighty that the President of the United States is actually coming to this village. It’s absolutely fantastic for the area and let’s hope we can showcase it to the world media.” He said the office of US president should be respected. “We’re not going to get into the politics of it, he is the democratically elected President of the US, the most important office in the world and we’re delighted to have him here. “In Doonbeg, we look at the position rather than the person. It’s a great honour for Doonbeg to have the President in our parish, it’s absolutely a great honour. It is something that …

CLARE IFA chairman, Willie Hanrahan, is encouraging farm families to attend the organisations executive meeting tonight (November 14) in Treacy’s West County Hotel at 8.30pm. The meeting will address concerns regarding rural crime in Clare.  Guest speakers will include Barry Carey, IFA Rural Crime Prevention Officer, William Shortall IFA Health and Safety Officer and Garda Sergeant Triona O’Rourke, Rural Crime Prevention Officer. Recently addressing the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality, IFA Deputy President Richard Kennedy called for the establishment of a dedicated Rural Crime Task Force. He highlighted how a similar UK task force has been successful in tackling rural crime. “Over the last year, several serious incidents have occurred on farms. Many farmers and rural dwellers live in real fear for their safety, which is compounded by geographic and service isolation. Theft of valuables from rural homes and of livestock and machinery from farms is also a major concern.” The IFA Deputy President said there is a …

DONALD Trump may be a divisive figure but efforts must be made to protect the dunes of Doonbeg, while nearby farmlands remain “under threat” from flooding. William Hanrahan, IFA county chairman, told the monthly meeting of Clare County Council that flood protection is a major issue for the county, with the IFA “intensively” lobbying the OPW and government departments for funding to complete outstanding works. “In some areas, planning permission is required and IFA would urge Clare County Council to wholeheartedly support these projects, whether it is on the banks of the Shannon or the Atlantic coast,” he said. He recalled that after the major storms of 2014, “vast areas of farmland were covered with water”. “If they are covered for some time, the whole area turns black and production is non-existent.” Mr Hanrahan said that the land at the back of the dunes at the Trump International Golf Links and Hotel Ireland in Doonbeg is “vulnerable”. “It’s over sea …

THE IFA should end all “Celtic Tiger” contracts for new senior officials, including president, in the national organisation, the newly-elected Clare chairman has said. Willie Hanrahan has proposed that the salary for the next IFA president should be in the region of the €82,258 paid to a Dáil deputy, plus legitimate expenses. The Doonbeg dairy farmer wants the salaries of all senior officers and the general secretary included in the IFA’s annual general accounts in a bid to introduce proper openness and transparency to the organisation, which was left reeling by the controversy surrounding huge payments to key personnel last year. Acknowledging that this controversy seriously undermined the trust of farmers in the organisation during “dark days” last year, he pointed out that “Celtic Tiger contracts” paid to some officials were not adjusted during austerity times. He stressed that the IFA should become a “bottom-up” farmer-led organisation in a new change of direction, as it had evolved into a “top-down …