SIX directors of the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society (CPBS) have resigned with immediate effect. The news came on Friday, two weeks after the society temporarily suspended its constitution and postponed the convening of its AGM.

The six who resigned include president Daragh Ó Tuairisg, vice president Pat Collins, Cathy Morrisy, Alan Woods, Eamon Spain and Cáit Hennessy.

Their resignations were tendered amid an ongoing division between the board of directors and a group of members who had called for an EGM to remove certain directors.

The resolution calling for that EGM was, at the time, deemed invalid by the executive and while it went ahead without them, the result was also deemed illegitimate and the directors remained in their posts.

Since then, further conflict arose over the decision to suspend the society’s constitution and the fact CPBS has not yet returned financial statements for 2024.

A solicitors letter, sighted by The Irish Field, was recently sent by that group of members to the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement asking it to investigate the EGM issue and the past-due annual returns.

In announcing his resignation Ó Tuairisg said: “Over the course of my tenure I have sought to act in good faith, in accordance with our statutory and fiduciary duties, and in the long-term interests of Cumann Lucht Capaillín Chonamara and its members.

“Recent developments have highlighted the increasingly difficult context in which the current council has been operating. Public commentary directed at myself, colleagues, and our families, along with ongoing historical and structural issues, has made it progressively more challenging to serve effectively.

“During our term, we addressed a €200,000 financial loss in 2023, stabilised the Society’s finances, mitigated prior deficits, and halted the projected losses the Society was experiencing for 2024. We cleared a significant backlog of Connemara Pony passport applications, introduced improved processing systems, and participated in competitive tendering with the Department of Agriculture.

“We also oversaw the Inspectors training course and inspections, implementing transparent procedures, grievance protocols, and reforms that ensured fairness and record participation levels in 2024 and 2025. Our decisions on programmes such as the Judges Pathway were guided by accessibility, openness, and procedural fairness.

“While proud of these achievements, it is no longer practicable for the current council members to continue under present conditions. To avoid distraction from the Society’s work in serving its members and maintaining regulatory compliance, I have resigned with immediate effect from my roles as uachtarán, council member, trustee, and director.”

It is understood an EGM will now take place where an interim chairperson will be chosen from the remaining directors before an AGM, where the next president and vice-president will be elected.