Bobby Molloy
Robert Molloy (9 July 1936 – 2 October 2016) was an Irish Fianna Fáil and Progressive Democrats politician, who served in a wide number of Cabinet positions, most notably as Minister for Local Government, Minister for Defence and Minister for Energy.[1]
Bobby Molloy | |
|---|---|
| Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal | |
| In office 8 July 1997 – 6 June 2002 | |
| Taoiseach | Bertie Ahern |
| Preceded by | Mark Clinton |
| Succeeded by | Liz McManus |
| Minister of State to the Government | |
| In office 26 June 1997 – 6 June 2002 | |
| Taoiseach | Bertie Ahern |
| Preceded by | Pat Rabbitte |
| Succeeded by | Liz O'Donnell |
| Minister for Energy | |
| In office 12 July 1989 – 4 November 1992 | |
| Taoiseach | Charles Haughey Albert Reynolds |
| Preceded by | Michael Smith |
| Succeeded by | Albert Reynolds |
| Minister for Defence | |
| In office 5 July 1977 – 11 December 1979 | |
| Taoiseach | Jack Lynch |
| Preceded by | Oliver J. Flanagan |
| Succeeded by | Pádraig Faulkner |
| Minister for Local Government | |
| In office 9 May 1970 – 14 March 1973 | |
| Taoiseach | Jack Lynch |
| Preceded by | Kevin Boland |
| Succeeded by | James Tully |
| Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education | |
| In office 9 July 1969 – 9 May 1970 | |
| Taoiseach | Jack Lynch |
| Preceded by | New position |
| Succeeded by | Michael O'Kennedy |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office April 1965 – May 2002 | |
| Constituency | Galway West |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Robert Molloy 9 July 1936 Galway, Ireland |
| Died | 2 October 2016 (aged 80) Galway, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Political party | Independent |
| Other political affiliations | Fianna Fáil (until 1985) Progressive Democrats (1985-2008) |
| Spouse(s) | Phyllis Molloy |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | University College Galway |
Molloy was born in Galway and was educated at Coláiste Iognáid and University College Galway.[2] Molloy was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD) for the Galway West constituency at the 1965 general election.[3] In 1968 he was also elected Mayor of Galway. The following year he was appointed to the Cabinet as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education. From 1970 to 1973 he served as Minister for Local Government. When Fianna Fáil returned to power in 1977 he became Minister for Defence in the final government of Jack Lynch.
In 1979 Molloy supported George Colley in the Fianna Fáil leadership contest. However Charles Haughey was the eventual victor. After this Molloy was dropped from the Cabinet, becoming a member of the Gang of 22 who opposed Haughey's leadership of the party. In 1986 Molloy resigned from Fianna Fáil and joined the newly formed Progressive Democrats. In 1989 the party entered into coalition with Fianna Fáil, with Molloy becoming Minister for Energy. That same year he contested the European Parliament Elections but was unsuccessful in his attempt. He stood at the European Parliament elections again in 1994 but was again unsuccessful. Following the 1997 general election Molloy helped in the negotiations for forming the coalition government between the Progressive Democrats and Fianna Fáil. On that occasion he became Minister of State at the Department of the Environment.
Molloy retired from politics just before the 2002 general election amid controversy regarding constituency letters intervening in the rape case of Barbara Naughton.[4]
References
- "Robert Molloy". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- Collins, Stephen (2 October 2016). "Former Galway TD Bobby Molloy dies at the age of 80: Long serving minister and founder of Progressive Democrats was TD for four decades". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 4 October 2016.
- "Bobby Molloy". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- "Rape victim settles action against hospital". RTÉ News. 17 April 2007. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
Sources
- Henry, William (2002). Role of Honour: The Mayors of Galway City 1485-2001. Galway: Galway City Council. OCLC 51023721 ASIN B003NECRYW
| Civic offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Thomas Tierney |
Mayor of Galway 1968–1969 |
Succeeded by Fintan Coogan Snr |
| Oireachtas | ||
| Preceded by Gerald Bartley (Fianna Fáil) |
Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Galway West 1965–1986 |
Succeeded by Molloy joins the Progressive Democrats |
| Preceded by Molloy was formerly a member of Fianna Fáil |
Progressive Democrats Teachta Dála for Galway West 1986–2002 |
Succeeded by Noel Grealish (Progressive Democrats) |
| Political offices | ||
| New office | Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education 1969–1970 |
Succeeded by Michael O'Kennedy |
| Preceded by Kevin Boland |
Minister for Local Government 1970–1973 |
Succeeded by James Tully |
| Preceded by Oliver J. Flanagan |
Minister for Defence 1977–1979 |
Succeeded by Pádraig Faulkner |
| Preceded by Michael Smith |
Minister for Energy 1989–1992 |
Succeeded by Albert Reynolds |
| Preceded by Pat Rabbitte |
Minister of State to the Government 1997–2002 |
Succeeded by Liz O'Donnell |
| Preceded by Liz McManus |
Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal 1997–2002 |
Succeeded by Noel Ahern |
