Failure to resolve an internal row in the Beef Plan has resulted in the removal of two directors from the board of Beef Plan Movement company limited by guarantee (CLG).

A schism opened in the infant farm organisation in late 2019 and, since then, both sides have been locked in a year-long mediation process in an attempt to find a solution.

On one side were directors Hugh Doyle, a co-founder of the organisation, and Kevin O’Brien, and on the other Enda Fingleton and Alan O’Brien.

The other co-founder of the Beef Plan, Eamon Corley had resigned from the board in August 2019 prior to setting up the Emerald Isle Beef Producer Group.

We took legal advice and, according to our articles of association, we are fully in our rights to remove the two individuals

Documents from the Companies Registration Office (CRO) show that Fingleton and Alan O’Brien have been deemed resigned as of December 2020.

Both men stated that they did not actively resign from the Beef Plan Movement CLG and would challenge the move.

Hugh Doyle confirmed to the Irish Farmers Journal that they were removed.

“We took legal advice and, according to our articles of association, we are fully in our rights to remove the two individuals,” Doyle said.

Three new directors have now joined the board: Emmanuel O’Dea from Co Galway, Jason Fitzgerald from Co Cork and John Moloney from Co Limerick.

Fingleton and Alan O’Brien said it was their belief that their “attempted removal is due to their ongoing scrutiny of the Beef Plan company accounts”.

Audit

Doyle refuted this, saying: “We’re 15 months telling the other side if they’re not happy with the accounts, get an independent audit and to date, nothing has happened.

“There is nothing to hide.”

Doyle committed to making the accounts available to members when they are signed off.

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