Mr John Dillon, outgoing deputy president of the Irish Farmers’ Association, has been elected as the organisation’s new president.
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Mr John Dillon
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Co Limerick-born Mr Dillon (53) received over 492 first preference votes after transfers, from 939 IFA branches - nearly 45 more than his nearest rival, Mr Raymond O'Malley .
Mr Dillon, the only Munsterman in race is a self-proclaimed militant credited with forcing the IFA blockade on meat factories 18 months ago.
He has led a number of successful campaigns, notably a sit-in at the European Commission offices in Dublin, which won major headage payment increases for farmers in disadvantaged areas.
Once described as "the farmers' revenge on Bluebell" because of his uncompromising attitudes towards the officials who run the IFA from the Dublin suburb of Bluebell, Mr Dillon became the first deputy president to move directly to the leadership of the organisation.
The position is held for four years and carries no salary.
This was the first IFA presidential election with more than two candidates and the decision had to be made by proportional representation. This meant the final decision depended on transfers.
The count, involving 60 counters, was held at Citywest Hotel, Dublin.