John Jinks (politician)

John Jinks (4 May 1871 – 11 September 1934) (often known simply as Alderman Jinks from his position as an Alderman on Sligo Corporation) was an Irish politician who served briefly in Dáil Éireann.[1]

This article is about the Irish politician. For the geneticist, see John L. Jinks.

He was born as John Jenk, to Patrick Jenk (also Jinks), a farmer, and Bridget Gilmartin, of Drumcliff, County Sligo.[2]

An auctioneer and licensed grocer, he was elected to Dáil Éireann as Teachta Dála (TD) for the 7-seat Leitrim–Sligo constituency at the June 1927 general election as a representative of the National League Party.[3]

He is most famous for having been absent, on 16 August 1927, from a crucial vote of motion of no confidence in the Executive Council.[4] This resulted in a tied vote (71–71) and the government survived only because of the casting vote of the Ceann Comhairle (chairman). Many colourful stories have grown up over the years as to the means by which his absence from the voting lobbies was secured, although it seems most likely that it was, in fact, a deliberate expression of his political views.[5] The proposed alternative government was a Labour Party/National League coalition, depending on the external support of Fianna Fáil.

The September 1927 general election rapidly followed, at which he stood as an independent candidate and was not re-elected.

In 1928 and 1934, he was elected to Sligo County Council as a Cumann na nGaedheal and Fine Gael candidate respectively.

References
  1. "John Jinks". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  2. "General Registrar's Office". IrishGenealogy.ie. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  3. "John Jinks". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  4. "Dáil Éireann - Volume 20 - Public Business. - No Confidence Motion". Houses of the Oireachtas. 16 August 1927. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012.
  5. "Infamous Dail 'walk-out' saved the Government". Irish Identity. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
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