Thomas P Cannon MAgrSc (Rur Dev) FCIArb MII Certified Mediator

Tom Cannon is based in Lismullen, south of Navan in County Meath. He was born and grew up a few miles away at Caulstown, Drogheda now best known for the Cement Roadstone Holdings cement works at Platin. After completing secondary school in the Franciscan College in Gormanston he attended the Salesian College of Agriculture in Warrenstown and afterwards the Faculty of Agriculture in University College Dublin. He graduated in 1969 with a specialised degree in animal production and returned to Caulstown to help in the management of the family business.

Following his retirement from dairy farming in 2004 Tom returned to UCD and studied for a Masters degree in Agriculture in Rural Development. In 2005 he was appointed Development Executive for Agriculture and Industry by the Royal Dublin Society. During that time he studied Arbitration in the Faculty of Law in UCD and following the successful completion of his studies was admitted to Membership of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He is also a trained mediator. Following three years with the RDS during which he successfully refocused and reinvigorated RDS Foundation activities in the areas of Industry and Agriculture he retired in late 2008 to focus on a full time career in Alternative Dispute Resolution. Along with his formal qualifications Tom brings a lifetime of experience gained in farming and, more importantly, with the people of rural Ireland.

Tom’s farming career spanned 35 years until his retirement in 2004. The principal enterprise in Caulstown over the years was dairy farming. The dairy herd in 1969 was a mixed herd of 40 Shorthorns and Friesians. Tom built up the herd to 100 cows and graded up to pedigree Holstein Friesian. Over the years Caulstown cattle won at shows in the North East with a major victory in the 1980 Spring Show. The herd won many awards for both confirmation and production in the North Eastern Holstein Friesian Club Herds Competition. Tom is also an experienced judge of dairy cattle and was invited to adjudicate at many events. In addition to dairying Tom has first-hand experience of quality beef production, sheep production and for many years produced a substantial acreage of cereals.

In the course of his farming career Tom was active in a number of farming bodies and organisations. He was deeply involved in Macra na Feirme at local level in Drogheda branch, at Meath County Executive and was elected National Council representative for Co Meath. The National Farm Relief Service began in 1973 in County Meath as a result of a proposal by Tom. In the early seventies he joined the Irish Farmers Association in East Meath. Along with being active at branch level, he was elected secretary of IFA Meath County Executive. He also represented Co Meath IFA at regional level. In 1976 he was a founder member of the North Eastern Holstein Friesian Club where he served in many positions for 25 years culminating in being elected club President in 2001, the club’s jubilee year. In the 80’s Tom was active in the Leinster Milk Producers Association, which represented 1,600 suppliers of the then Premier Dairies. Following the purchase of Premier by Tir Laighean Co-op in 1985 he was elected to represent Co Meath on the board of management. In 1987 he was elected by his fellow board members to the board of Premier Dairies plc. Following the sale of Premier Tir Laighean in 1989 he served on the farmer negotiating team representing producers with the new owners, Waterford Express Dairies. Tom represented his fellow landowners during the planning and construction of the M1 motorway in the east Meath and south Co Louth area as chairman of the committee. He was also involved in negotiating compensation for individual farmers arising from disturbance during preliminary investigations in the building of the motorway.

Tom Cannon is qualified and available to act in resolving and facilitating the resolution of disputes in farming and rural issues. He is available to act as an Arbitrator or Mediator, if called on, and will also advise and provide support to those involved in either Arbitration or Mediation.