Paddy Donegan
Patrick Sarsfield Donegan (29 October 1923 – 26 November 2000) was an Irish Fine Gael politician and three-time cabinet minister.[1]
Paddy Donegan | |
|---|---|
| Minister for Fisheries | |
| In office 9 February 1977 – 5 July 1977 | |
| Taoiseach | Liam Cosgrave |
| Preceded by | New office |
| Succeeded by | Brian Lenihan |
| Minister for Lands | |
| In office 2 December 1976 – 9 February 1977 | |
| Taoiseach | Liam Cosgrave |
| Preceded by | Tom Fitzpatrick |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Minister for Defence | |
| In office 14 March 1973 – 2 December 1976 | |
| Taoiseach | Liam Cosgrave |
| Preceded by | Jerry Cronin |
| Succeeded by | Liam Cosgrave |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office October 1961 – June 1981 | |
| In office May 1954 – March 1957 | |
| Constituency | Louth |
| 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, Farmer |
He was educated at a Christian Brothers School in Drogheda, County Louth and at the Vincentian Castleknock College, County Dublin. Donegan was first elected as a Fine Gael Teachta Dála (TD) for the Louth constituency at the 1954 general election.[2] He lost his seat at the 1957 general election but was elected to Seanad Éireann by the Agricultural Panel. He regained his Dáil seat at the 1961 general election. In the Fine Gael-Labour Party coalition government which took power after the 1973 general election Donegan was appointed as 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, County Westmeath. He described as a "thundering disgrace" (in some accounts what he said was 'thundering boll*x and a f**king disgrace') 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.[3] 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 general election, and died in 2000. He was buried in his home town of Monasterboice, County Louth.
References
- "Patrick S. Donegan". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
- "Patrick S. Donegan". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
- "Politicians pay tribute to Paddy Donegan". RTÉ News. 26 November 2000.
| 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 |