Paddy Donegan
| Paddy Donegan | |
|---|---|
| Minister for Fisheries | |
| In office 9 February 1977 – 5 July 1977 |
|
| Preceded by | New position |
| Succeeded by | Brian Lenihan |
| Minister for Lands | |
| In office 2 December 1976 – 9 February 1977 |
|
| Preceded by | Tom Fitzpatrick |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Minister for Defence | |
| In office 14 March 1973 – 2 December 1976 |
|
| Preceded by | Jerry Cronin |
| Succeeded by | Liam Cosgrave |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 29 October 1923 Monasterboice, County Louth, Ireland |
| Died | 26 November 2000 (aged 77) Dublin, Ireland |
| Political party | Fine Gael |
| Spouse(s) | Olivia Donegan |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | Castleknock College |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Patrick Sarsfield "Paddy" Donegan (29 October 1923 – 26 November 2000) was an Irish Fine Gael Party politician.
He was educated at a Christian Brothers School in Drogheda and at the Vincentian Castleknock College. Donegan was first elected as a Fine Gael Teachta Dála (TD) at the 1954 general election. He lost his seat at the following election but reclaimed it in 1961. In the Fine Gael-Labour coalition government which took power after the 1973 general election Donegan was appointed Minister for Defence.
In October 1976 Donegan made a controversial speech on an official visit to the opening of new kitchen facilities in an army barracks at Mullingar. He described as a 'thundering disgrace'[1] President Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh's refusal to sign the Emergency Powers Act, 1976, instead using his powers under Article 26 of the Constitution to refer it to the Supreme Court. The Taoiseach, Liam Cosgrave, refused Donegan's resignation, and instead Ó Dálaigh resigned as President of Ireland. The whole episode badly damaged the government's reputation.
In 1976 Donegan became Minister for Lands, and in 1977 he served briefly as Minister for Fisheries. Donegan retired from politics at the 1981 election, and died in 2000. He was buried in his home town of Monasterboice.
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ There are claims that the actual words used may have been stronger than "thundering" and "disgrace": see Liam Cosgrave#Taoiseach
- This page incorporates information from the Oireachtas Members Database
[edit] External links
- Paddy Donegan's electoral history (ElectionsIreland.org)
- Politicians pay tribute to Paddy Donegan (RTÉ News, November 2000)
- Death of Louth’s political colossus Paddy Donegan (Drogheda Independent)
- Minister who caused a president to resign dies after long illness (Irish Independent)
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jerry Cronin |
Minister for Defence 1973–1976 |
Succeeded by Liam Cosgrave |
| Preceded by Tom Fitzpatrick |
Minister for Lands 1976–1977 |
Succeeded by Brian Lenihan |
|
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