High Court orders fresh ICA election ballot

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

The High Court ordered a fresh Irish Countrywomen’s Association election ballot after finding that two motions breached the organisation’s constitution. Patricia Madden was the first plaintiff in the proceedings.

In an approved judgment dated 4 October 2018, Ms Justice Ní Raifeartaigh held that motions passed at an extraordinary general meeting on 14 April and an annual general meeting on 26 May breached the constitution. She found that the problem went beyond procedural irregularities: the arrangements provided for by the motions were not authorised or envisaged by the constitution.

The election concerned places on the ICA’s National Executive Board. After a first ballot was cancelled, a second set of ballot papers was issued in March 2018. The ballot was due to close on 27 April, but the votes were not counted and announced.

Madden, who represented herself, wanted the second ballot counted. The judge found that it was unlikely to contain a complete expression of the ICA’s democratic will because some Guilds probably did not vote, believing the election had been cancelled.

The judge granted some declarations sought by Madden, including a declaration that positions on the board filled since 26 May 2018 were invalid. She ordered a fresh ballot to be held and counted within two months and directed those serving on the board to remain until the elections were completed, to manage the ICA’s ordinary day-to-day business.