CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Nora (Josie) Harty; Mary Ellen Daly; Christina Casey and Rita Johnson I PICTURES: Brendan Gleeson
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05 Mar 2026
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05 Mar 2026
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Longford IFA Chairperson John Sheridan at the protest last Monday afternoon
Members of Longford IFA, including County Chair John Sheridan, were in attendance and played a prominent part at a protest outside Bord Bia HQ in Ballsbridge, Dublin, over chair Larry Murrin in Dublin.
The situation had seen IFA farmers demonstrate outside Bord Bia's offices for over a month since the protest began on January 28, but on Monday there was a significant development.
The protest was launched in response to the staunch refusal of Larry Murrin, to step down from his role as chairman of Bord Bia following revelations that his company, Dawn Farms, imports Brazilian beef.
Related: Sit-in protest at Bord Bia ends following promise of review
The IFA members ended their sit-in protest at Bord Bia on Monday after pressure mounted and the board agreed to an independent expert-led governance review into its operations.
County Chair Mr Sheridan said there was hundreds of IFA members there on Monday.
"As far as we are concerned Larry was using his double standards over the Bord Bia inspection."
"He was telling the rest of us what to do and he wasn't doing it himself."
"So, when that happens I don't think you've any alternative, he shouldn't be there."
Related: "No confidence in Bord Bia's Larry," says Longford IFA chair, John Sheridan
Since the protest began, IFA chairs such as Mr Sheridan and members from county branches nationwide had been on a participation rota.
Mr Sheridan, who said there was a lot of anger, added, 'Oh it's fierce, it's just as bad as Mercosur, nearly worse."
Last Saturday, up to 1,500 people attended an IFA protest outside Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon's constituency office in Newbridge, Co Kildare.
Following the announcement, Minister Heydon said, “I am pleased that my proposal for an independent governance review of the board of Bord Bia has been accepted and that the ongoing protest has been stood down."
"Larry Murrin will remain as chair of Bord Bia and as agreed by the board and the chair in the interests of moving forward, during the period of the review scheduled board meetings will be facilitated by another current board member.”
Related: Minister ‘failed’ to deal with Bord Bia issues at meeting, says IFA president
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