P. J. Sheehan

Patrick Joseph 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 to 2002 and 2007 to 2011.[1]

P. J. Sheehan
Teachta Dála
In office
May 2007 – February 2011
In office
June 1981 – May 2002
ConstituencyCork South-West
Personal details
Born (1933-03-01) 1 March 1933
NationalityIrish
Political partyFine Gael
Spouse(s)Frances Sheehan
Children4

Personal life

Sheehan is married to Frances, and they have four children.[2]

Career

Sheehan has been involved in politics for more than 50 years.[2] In 1967 he was elected to Cork County Council for the first time.[2] He is a prominent campaigner for rural rights.[2] He once clashed with Taoiseach Charles Haughey in the Dáil chamber.[2]

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.[3] 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 officer after she prevented him from driving while leaving Leinster House in July 2010.[4][5] He was reported to have threatened her career if she disrupted him.[6] His party leader Enda Kenny told a sergeant to "ignore what Sheehan had said".[7] Sheehan resigned his position as Fine Gael's Deputy spokesperson on Agriculture later on 20 September with immediate effect.[8]

He retired from politics at the 2011 general election.[9]

References
  1. "P.J. Sheehan". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
  2. Riegel, Ralph (20 September 2010). "Parish-pump politician in game for half a century". Irish Independent.
  3. "P.J. Sheehan". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
  4. "Fine Gael TD resigns deputy spokesperson role". RTÉ News. 20 September 2010.
  5. "Statement from PJ Sheehan TD". RTÉ News. 20 September 2010. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012.
  6. "Minister won't get involved following Sheehan's apology". TV3 News. 20 September 2010. Archived from the original on 29 March 2012.
  7. "Drunk TD 'threat' to ruin garda career". Sunday Independent. 20 September 2010.
  8. "Sheehan resigns as FG spokesman". The Irish Times. 20 September 2010.
  9. "FG's Burke to retire at next election". The Irish Times. 26 November 2010.
Oireachtas
Preceded by
Michael Murphy
(Labour Party)		 Fine Gael Teachta Dála for Cork South-West
1981–2002		 Succeeded by
Denis O'Donovan
(Fianna Fáil)
Preceded by
Denis O'Donovan
(Fianna Fáil)		 Fine Gael Teachta Dála for Cork South-West
2007–2011		 Succeeded by
Michael McCarthy
(Labour Party)
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