A farmer’s rights as an individual should not be compromised by a witch-hunt, but neither should Glanbia’s reputation.

There has been much speculation surrounding the investigation into alleged milk quota irregularity back in January 2014 involving Tipperary farmer Bill Carroll and Clongowes Wood College’s farm.

It reached a new level last week when Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris essentially accused Minister Simon Coveney of being evasive in relation to the opinion of the chief state solicitor on the subject.

For his part, the minister stated: “Having regard to an opinion from the chief state solicitor’s office, and having considered all of the facts, the recommendation from my Department is that on balance, a prosecution is not warranted in this instance. All superlevies due have been paid in full and there has been no financial loss either to the Exchequer, to farmers or to the EU.”

As I understand it, neither Glanbia nor Bill Carroll have received any communication indicating whether a case will be taken. There is no certainty that any such communication will ever be made. For the individual concerned, it’s a difficult time.

A rush to judgement is tempting: Bill Carroll is a big farmer with an extensive holding and large pig and dairy operations; Clongowes Wood is one of the country’s most elite and prestigious schools. However, even big farmers are entitled to due process.

This case has been unusual from the start. The fact that it was the now disbanded Special Investigations Unit of the Department that landed in Ballyragget at the same time as national media were on the phone quizzing Glanbia on the issue raised eyebrows. Since then, the absence of fact as the investigation continued has led to speculation, some of which may be accurate, but hardly all.

There are two separate issues, and two separate standards. The State must decide whether the law was broken, and to what extent. It seems that this decision has been made.

The second question relates to Bill Carroll’s presence on the board of Glanbia. The standard that should apply here is not one of legality, but of a standard of behaviour appropriate for one of 14 farmer nominees to the board of a €5bn plc, a €2bn co-op, and GII – Ireland’s largest dairy processor. Perception can be damaging, irrespective of the facts. Caesar knew his wife had to be above suspicion 2,000 years ago – high standards are demanded in high office.

Bill Carroll is one of Glanbia’s most committed supporters, and is held in high regard through the company and beyond. He was endorsed by those who know him best when returned unopposed to the board by his local advisory commitee in recent months. He will not want to make any decision that seems forced on him by what he might consider hostile forces, but there are bigger principles at play. The rights of an individual must be balanced against his responsibilities to those he serves.