Paddy Donegan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paddy Donegan
|
|
|---|---|
| Minister for Fisheries (Minister for Lands from 9 February 1977) |
|
| In office 2 December 1976 – 5 July 1977 |
|
| Taoiseach | Liam Cosgrave |
| Preceded by | Tom Fitzpatrick |
| Succeeded by | Brian Lenihan |
| 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 |
| Senator | |
| In office May 1957 – October 1961 |
|
| Constituency | Agricultural Panel |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 29 October 1923 Monasterboice, County Louth, Ireland |
| Died | 26 November 2000 (aged 77) County Louth, Ireland |
| Political party | Fine Gael |
| Spouse |
Olivia Macken
(m. 1949) |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Castleknock College |
Patrick Sarsfield Donegan (born October 29, 1923 – died November 26, 2000) was an important Irish politician. He was a member of the Fine Gael political party. He served in the Irish government as a minister and was also a Teachta Dála (TD), which is like a member of parliament. He also served as a Senator.
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Who Was Patrick Donegan?
Patrick Donegan was a well-known figure in Irish politics. He held several important jobs in the government. These included being the Minister for Fisheries, Minister for Lands, and Minister for Defence. He spent many years working for the people of Ireland.
Early Life and Education
Patrick Donegan was born on October 29, 1923. His hometown was Monasterboice in County Louth, Ireland. His father, Thomas Francis Donegan, was a publican and also a farmer. His mother was Rose Ann Donegan.
Patrick went to school in Drogheda, County Louth, at a Christian Brothers School. Later, he studied at Castleknock College in Dublin. This college was run by the Vincentian order.
Starting His Political Journey
Patrick Donegan began his political career with the Fine Gael party. He was first elected as a Teachta Dála (TD) in 1954. A TD is a member of Dáil Éireann, which is the main house of the Irish parliament. He represented the Louth area.
He lost his seat in the 1957 election. However, he was then elected to Seanad Éireann, becoming a Senator. The Seanad is the upper house of the Irish parliament. He regained his TD seat for Louth in the 1961 election.
Serving as a Minister
After the 1973 general election, a new government was formed. It was a partnership between the Fine Gael and Labour Party. In this government, Patrick Donegan was given a very important role. He was appointed as the Minister for Defence. This meant he was in charge of Ireland's armed forces.
A Big Moment: The President's Resignation
In October 1976, something significant happened during Patrick Donegan's time as Minister for Defence. He made a speech at an army barracks. In his speech, he strongly disagreed with President Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh. The President had decided not to sign a new law called the Emergency Powers Bill 1976. Instead, the President sent the bill to the Supreme Court to check if it followed the Constitution.
Patrick Donegan called the President's action a "thundering disgrace." The Taoiseach (Ireland's Prime Minister), Liam Cosgrave, did not accept Donegan's offer to resign. Instead, President Ó Dálaigh himself resigned from his position. This event was a very serious moment in Irish politics.
Later Political Roles and Retirement
In December 1976, Patrick Donegan was appointed as the Minister for Lands. A few months later, in February 1977, this job changed. It became the Minister for Fisheries. He continued to serve in the government until it lost power after the 1977 general election.
Patrick Donegan decided to retire from politics in 1981. He passed away in 2000 and was buried in his hometown of Monasterboice, County Louth.
