Pat is originally from a sheep , suckler and trout farm in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny.

He has been living in Wicklow town since 1991. He qualified as a Veterinary Surgeon from UCD in 1989 and gained a certificate in Pig Medicine from Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2001 . Pat is currently practising veterinary medicine in the pig & poultry sectors as a specialist advisor. He is also the current President of Veterinary Ireland, the representative organisation for Vets in Ireland. He has practised in cattle, sheep, small animal, equine, state and meat industries throughout his veterinary career.

Pat is “involved with Animal Health Ireland because he has seen the benefits from improved health in terms of both production and animal welfare in the pig & poultry industries and would like to see this message spread to the cattle industry. In this current harsh economic climate it is imperative that we increase agricultural production. One of the essential elements to this is an improvement in the overall health of the national herd, the ultimate aim being to use this newly improved health status as a unique selling point for the Irish agricultural industry”.

Veterinary Practitioner