John M. Kelly (politician) facts for kids

John Maurice Kelly (born August 31, 1931 – died January 24, 1991) was an important Irish politician. He was a member of the Fine Gael political party.

Kelly held several key government roles during his career. He served as the Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism. He was also the Attorney General, which is the chief legal advisor to the government. Before that, he was the Government Chief Whip, helping to manage government business.

He was elected as a Teachta Dála (TD), which is a member of the Irish parliament (Dáil Éireann), representing different areas of Dublin from 1973 to 1989. He also served as a Senator before becoming a TD.

Education and Early Life

John Kelly went to two different schools in Ireland for his early education. He attended St Conleth's College in Dublin and Glenstal Abbey School in County Limerick.

After school, he studied at University College Dublin from 1949 to 1954. He then went to Heidelberg University in Germany for further studies between 1954 and 1956. His research there was published as a book called "Princeps Iudex".

Academic Career and Law

In the early 1960s, John Kelly worked as a university teacher, also known as a don, at Trinity College, Oxford in England.

He was a very respected academic, meaning he was a great scholar and teacher. For many years, he was a Professor at University College Dublin. He taught important subjects like Constitutional law (rules for how a country is governed), Roman law (ancient Roman legal system), and Jurisprudence (the study of law).

Kelly wrote an important book about the Constitution of Ireland, which is the main law of Ireland. Even after he passed away, newer versions of this book still have his name on them to honor his original work. He also helped to restart an Irish law magazine called The Irish Jurist in the 1960s.

Political Journey

John Kelly first tried to become a politician in the 1969 general election. He ran as a candidate for the Fine Gael party in the Dublin South-Central area. He wasn't elected to the Dáil (Irish parliament) that time.

However, he was later chosen to be a Senator for the Cultural and Educational Panel. In 1973, he was successfully elected as a TD for Dublin South-Central. He then represented Dublin County South from 1977 and Dublin South from 1981. He continued to serve as a TD until he retired from politics in 1989.

Government Roles

John Kelly held several important roles in the Irish government.

• Government of Liam Cosgrave (1973–1977): He worked for the Taoiseach (Ireland's Prime Minister), Liam Cosgrave. He was the Government Chief Whip, which meant he helped manage the government's work in parliament. He also helped the Minister for Defence. In May 1977, he became the Attorney General of Ireland, the government's chief legal advisor.

• Government of Garret FitzGerald (1981–1982): He served as the Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism. He also temporarily acted as the Minister for Foreign Affairs before James Dooge took over that role.

Kelly decided not to join Garret FitzGerald's second government (1982–1987). He believed that Irish politics should be more like European politics, with different parties working together in new ways. He thought Fine Gael should work more closely with Fianna Fáil and not always with the Labour Party. He chose not to run for election again in 1989.

Personal Life and Legacy

John Kelly was married to Delphine Kelly and they had five children. His son, Nick, became the lead singer and songwriter for an Irish rock band called The Fat Lady Sings.

John Kelly passed away on January 24, 1991, at the age of 59, after having a heart attack.

John M. Kelly Memorial Lecture

Since 1994, University College Dublin has held an annual event called the John M. Kelly Memorial Lecture. During this lecture, important legal experts from around the world are invited to speak about law. This lecture series honors John Kelly's contributions to law and education.

The Irish Jurist Memorial Issue

Volumes XXV-XXVII of The Irish Jurist, a legal magazine that John Kelly helped revive, were published in his memory. These special issues covered the years 1990–1992.