A High Court judge yesterday described as "wholly unnecessary" proceedings taken by an Irish Farmers' Association official against the association.
Mr Gerard Murphy had alleged his position on an IFA committee had been marginalised and had not been properly recognised.
Mr Murphy, a dairy farmer of Ballyneale, Co Waterford, has been active in the IFA for over 30 years. From 1998 to 2002, he was the Munster representative on the association's National Rules, Privileges and Procedures Committee.
Mr David Kennedy SC, for Mr Murphy, said that in January 2003 Mr Murphy was due to retire by rotation from the committee but, on January 23rd of that year, he was nominated to be the Munster representative again. However, he subsequently learned that another man was also nominated.
Mr John Rogers SC, for the IFA, claimed Mr Murphy was elected for the next two years, and the declaration he sought from the court - that the IFA be restrained from excluding him for the committee's business - was no longer an issue.
Ms Justice Laffoy said there had undoubtedly been a mistake by the IFA's administrative personnel concerning the election.
However, they had acknowledged the mistake immediately. The primary issue had already been resolved.