Mark Killilea Jnr facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mark Killilea
|
|
|---|---|
Killilea c. 1980s
|
|
| Minister of State | |
| 1979–1981 | Posts and Telegraphs |
| Member of the European Parliament | |
| In office 31 March 1987 – 11 June 1999 |
|
| Constituency | Connacht–Ulster |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office June 1981 – February 1982 |
|
| Constituency | Galway West |
| In office July 1977 – June 1981 |
|
| Constituency | Galway East |
| Senator | |
| In office 13 May 1982 – 31 March 1987 |
|
| In office 5 November 1969 – 26 May 1977 |
|
| Constituency | Labour Panel |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 September 1939 Tuam, County Galway, Ireland |
| Died | 31 December 2018 (aged 79) Tuam, County Galway, Ireland |
| Political party | Fianna Fáil |
| Spouse |
Anne Severs
(m. 1966) |
| Children | 10 |
| Occupation | Farmer |
Mark Killilea Jnr (born September 5, 1939 – died December 31, 2018) was an important Irish politician. He was also a farmer, auctioneer, and agricultural contractor. Over his 30-year career in politics, he served in several key roles. These included being a Teachta Dála (TD), which is a member of the Irish parliament. He was also a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and a Senator.
Contents
Mark Killilea's Early Life and Political Start
Mark Killilea was born in Tuam, County Galway, Ireland, in 1939. He married Anne Severs in 1966. His father, Mark Killilea Snr, was also a well-known politician from the Fianna Fáil party. In fact, his father was one of the people who helped start the Fianna Fáil party.
Mark Killilea Jnr went to school in his local area. He began his political career in August 1969. This is when he was first chosen to be a Senator. He was elected to the Seanad, which is like the upper house of the Irish parliament. He was re-elected as a Senator in 1973.
First Attempts to Join Parliament
Mark Killilea Jnr tried to become a Teachta Dála (TD) for the first time in 1973. He ran in the Galway North-East area during the general election. However, he was not elected that time.
He tried again in the 1977 general election. This time, he was successful! He won a seat in the new Galway East area. This election was a big win for the Fianna Fáil party. Their leader, Jack Lynch, was very popular at the time.
Political Career and Key Roles
After the 1977 election, Mark Killilea Jnr became a TD. He played a part in important political changes. In 1979, he supported Charles Haughey to become the new leader of the Fianna Fáil party. Haughey then became the Taoiseach, which is the head of the Irish government.
Minister of State and Senator
Because of his support, Mark Killilea Jnr was given a special job. He was appointed as a Minister of State at the Department of Posts and Telegraphs. This meant he helped manage things like mail and telephones for the government. He held this job until 1981.
In 1981, there was another general election. Mark Killilea Jnr changed the area he was running in to Galway West. He lost his seat as a TD in the election that followed in February 1982. However, he was soon elected back to the Seanad. He served as a Senator until 1987.
Member of the European Parliament (MEP)
In 1987, Mark Killilea Jnr took on a new role. He was appointed as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP). This meant he represented Ireland in the European Parliament. The European Parliament is where laws for the whole of Europe are discussed and made. He represented the Connacht–Ulster area.
He was re-elected as an MEP in both the 1989 and 1994 elections. In 1996, his fellow MEPs chose him for a special role called Quaestor. This job involves managing the financial and administrative needs of the MEPs. Mark Killilea Jnr decided to retire from politics in 1999.
