There will be a High Court hearing next week between the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) and the co-op owners of Ballybay Mart, where the mart will have to defend why its licence has been suspended. On Tuesday, the mart’s licence was temporarily suspended by the PSRA which resulted in the weekly sheep sale being cancelled. All other sales at the mart, including Wednesday’s dairy heifer and cow sale which had 95 animals booked in, have been cancelled until the licence is reinstated.
There will be a High Court hearing next week between the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) and the co-op owners of Ballybay Mart, where the mart will have to defend why its licence has been suspended.
On Tuesday, the mart’s licence was temporarily suspended by the PSRA which resulted in the weekly sheep sale being cancelled. All other sales at the mart, including Wednesday’s dairy heifer and cow sale which had 95 animals booked in, have been cancelled until the licence is reinstated.
It is also understood that there are issues related to client account funds.
A PSRA spokesperson confirmed to the Irish Farmers Journal that the licence has been temporarily suspended.
All property service providers, including marts, are required to hold a PSRA licence.
Delayed payment
One farmer who spoke to the Irish Farmers Journal and wanted to remain anonymous said he had sold cattle at the mart on Saturday 6 November and that usually the money is lodged on Monday. However, he said the money didn’t arrive.
He said he got a cheque on Wednesday for the amount he was owed and lodged it that day, but the payment has been delayed.
The PSRA is advising any farmer clients of the mart to contact the mart directly in relation to any monies that are owed.
Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) livestock and environmental services director Ray Doyle told the Irish Farmers Journal the mart is optimistic that the issues raised will be resolved by next week and that the mart’s client account is currently suspended as a result of the licence suspension.
Ballybay Mart is owned by Corcaghan Co-operative Agricultural and Dairy Society Ltd.
On the PSRA licence register this week, there are several people who hold a licence to operate the mart.
The licences of three individuals and the co-op itself lapsed on 5 November 2021 and three other individuals have licences to operate into 2022.
The Irish Farmers Journal contacted Ballybay Mart manager Matthew Gilliland on Wednesday. However, he refused to comment.
Upwards of 700 head of cattle were going through the mart at its Saturday sales and it is one of the leading marts in the northeast of the country.
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