Mundy Hayes was elected as the new chairman of Kerry Co-op at the co-op’s board meeting on Tuesday.

The dairy farmer from Kilflynn, Tralee, was elected unopposed and takes up the chairmanship at a turbulent time for the co-op as it defends its patronage shares against the Revenue Commissioners.

He takes up the chairman’s seat vacated by James Doyle, who lost his seat on the board only to be brought back in the last fortnight to also help fight the co-op’s case.