Chief vet: Tyrone GAA boss Brian Dooher appointed to role

The joint manager of the Tyrone senior football team has been appointed as Northern Ireland's new chief veterinary officer.

Brian Dooher, who was previously deputy chief vet, said he was honoured to have been selected.

His predecessor Dr Robert Huey was criticised by a tribunal for his conduct towards another vet.

But when the advert was published for a new chief vet, the civil service could not confirm if he had left the post.

The chief vet provides evidence-based professional advice to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera), executive ministers and other parts of government.

When the job advert was published, it said the post had an under-review salary range of £96,722 to £108,118.

"It will be my privilege to lead my veterinary colleagues to support our farming and food industry," Mr Dooher said.

"I will work constructively and collaboratively with Daera staff and stakeholders, delivery partners and colleagues in other administrations, in Ireland and in the EU on areas of common interest and to meet the future challenges across animal health and welfare and public health."

Mr Dooher was deputy chief vet from 2018.

As a Tyrone player he won three All-Ireland Senior Football Championship titles.

Dr Huey was criticised by a tribunal which said he had been "intimidating, patronising, belittling and dismissive" towards Dr Tamara Bronckaers.

Dr Bronckaers was awarded a pay-out of £1.25m, after it ruled she had been constructively dismissed.

Dr Bronckaers had raised concerns over the enforcement of traceability rules and animal welfare standards at livestock marts that were not acted on by her line manager or the chief veterinary officer.

Daera initially appealed the ruling, but later withdrew the challenge.

In the wake of the tribunal, an internal review was established and a taskforce set up to implement its recommendations.