Pat Smith settles IFA breach of contract and defamation actions

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

Former Irish Farmers’ Association general secretary Pat Smith settled two actions concerning breach of contract and defamation against the association. The Irish Times reported that he would receive €1.9 million and legal costs.

Mr Smith was in the High Court on 22 February 2018. IFA council members were informed of the settlement that morning. The proceedings were reported on 23 February 2018.

The report said Mr Smith left the IFA in November 2015 with a severance package signed off by then-president Eddie Downey. The case had been due to be heard over four days in the High Court the following week.

The IFA disclosed the financial settlement, although the amounts had not been revealed in court. The report also said Mr Smith planned to donate €1 million of his payout to charity.