Paddy Donegan

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Patrick S. (Paddy) Donegan (October 29, 1923 – November 26, 2000) was an Irish Fine Gael Party politician.

He was educated at a Christian Brothers School in Drogheda and at the Vincentian Castleknock College. Donegan was first elected as a Fine Gael TD in 1954. He lost his seat at the following election but reclaimed it in 1961. In the Fine Gael-Labour coalition of 1973 Donegan was appointed Minister for Defence.

In October 1976 Donegan made a controversial speech on an official visit to the opening of new kitchen facilities in an army barracks at Mullingar. He described as a 'thundering disgrace'^[1] President Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh's refusal to sign the Emergency Powers Act, 1976, instead using his powers under Article 26 of the Constitution to refer it to the Supreme Court. The Taoiseach, Liam Cosgrave, refused Donegan's resignation, and instead Ó Dálaigh resigned as President of Ireland. The whole episode badly damaged the government's reputation. Donegan is reported to have suffered from alcoholism at the time.

In 1976 Donegan became Minister for Lands, and in 1977 he served briefly as Minister for Fisheries. Donegan retired from politics in 1981, and died in 2000. He was buried in his home town of Monasterboice.

[edit] Political career

Preceded by Jerry Cronin	Minister for Defence 1973–1976	Succeeded by Liam Cosgrave
Preceded by Tom Fitzpatrick	Minister for Lands 1976–1977	Succeeded by Brian Lenihan