P. J. Sheehan
Encyclopedia
Patrick Joseph "P.J." Sheehan (born 1 March 1933) is a former Irish
Fine Gael
politician. He served as a Teachta Dála
(TD) for the Cork South West
constituency from 1981–2002 and 2007–11.
for the first time. He is a prominent campaigner for rural rights. He once clashed with Taoiseach Charles Haughey
in the Dáil chamber.
Formerly an auctioneer, merchant and farmer, Sheehan was first elected to Dáil Éireann
at the 1981 general election
and retained his seat until losing it at the 2002 general election
. He regained his seat at the 2007 general election at the age of 74. He served as Fine Gael's Deputy spokesperson on Agriculture with special responsibility for Forestry until 2010.
after she prevented him from driving while leaving Leinster House
in July 2010. He was reported to have threatened her career if she disrupted him. His party leader Enda Kenny
told a sergeant to "ignore what Sheehan had said". Sheehan resigned his position as Fine Gael's Deputy spokesperson on Agriculture with special responsibility for Forestry later on 20 September with immediate effect.
He retired from politics at the 2011 general election.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
Fine Gael
Fine Gael
Fine Gael is a centre-right to centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland. It is the single largest party in Ireland in the Oireachtas, in local government, and in terms of Members of the European Parliament. The party has a membership of over 35,000...
politician. He served as a Teachta Dála
Teachta Dála
A Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
(TD) for the Cork South West
Cork South West (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Cork South–West is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 3 deputies . The method of election is the single transferable vote form of proportional representation .- History and boundaries :It was...
constituency from 1981–2002 and 2007–11.
Career
Sheehan has been involved in politics for more than 50 years. In 1967 he was elected to Cork County CouncilCork County Council
Cork County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Cork in Ireland. The Council is responsible for Housing and Community, Roads and Transportation, Urban planning and Development, Amenity and Culture, and Environment. The head of the council has the title of Cathaoirleach...
for the first time. He is a prominent campaigner for rural rights. He once clashed with Taoiseach Charles Haughey
Charles Haughey
Charles James "Charlie" Haughey was Taoiseach of Ireland, serving three terms in office . He was also the fourth leader of Fianna Fáil...
in the Dáil chamber.
Formerly an auctioneer, merchant and farmer, Sheehan was first elected to Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...
at the 1981 general election
Irish general election, 1981
The Irish general election of 1981 was held on 11 June 1981, three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on 21 May. The newly elected 166 members of the 22nd Dáil assembled at Leinster House on 30 June when a new Taoiseach and government were appointed....
and retained his seat until losing it at the 2002 general election
Irish general election, 2002
The Irish general election of 2002 was held on Friday, 17 May 2002 just over three weeks after the dissolution of the 28th Dáil on Thursday 25 April by President Mary McAleese, at the request of the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern...
. He regained his seat at the 2007 general election at the age of 74. He served as Fine Gael's Deputy spokesperson on Agriculture with special responsibility for Forestry until 2010.
Drink driving incident
On 20 September 2010, he apologised after being under the influence of alcohol and threatening a garda officerGarda Síochána
, more commonly referred to as the Gardaí , is the police force of Ireland. The service is headed by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Irish Government. Its headquarters are located in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.- Terminology :...
after she prevented him from driving while leaving Leinster House
Leinster House
Leinster House is the name of the building housing the Oireachtas, the national parliament of Ireland.Leinster House was originally the ducal palace of the Dukes of Leinster. Since 1922, it is a complex of buildings, of which the former ducal palace is the core, which house Oireachtas Éireann, its...
in July 2010. He was reported to have threatened her career if she disrupted him. His party leader Enda Kenny
Enda Kenny
Enda Kenny is an Irish Fine Gael politician, and has been the Taoiseach since 2011. He has led Fine Gael since 2002. He served as Minister for Tourism and Trade from 1994 to 1997. He is also a two-term Vice President of the European People's Party.Kenny has been a Teachta Dála for Mayo since...
told a sergeant to "ignore what Sheehan had said". Sheehan resigned his position as Fine Gael's Deputy spokesperson on Agriculture with special responsibility for Forestry later on 20 September with immediate effect.
He retired from politics at the 2011 general election.