Jerry Cowley

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Dr Jerry Cowley (born 1952) is an Irish barrister, medical doctor and independent politician. Originally from Ballina, he is now resident in Mulranny. He was a TD for the constituency of Mayo until losing his seat in the 2007 general election. Cowley was first elected to Dáil Éireann in the 2002 general election. He joined the Technical Group established to ensure Dáil speaking time for the Independent TDs.

A Garda records a speech by Jerry Cowley at a Shell to Sea protest in Erris, County Mayo. Cowley has alleged that not all Garda recordings of him are so open

Cowley was the only Mayo TD who supported the Shell to Sea campaign left after Michael Ring did a U-turn on the issue. Shell to Sea oppose the plans of Royal Dutch Shell to construct a land-based refinery for the Corrib Gas Field at Bellanaboy in his constituency, and Cowley openly acknowledged that his stance would cost him more votes than it would gain him. During his time as TD he accused the Garda Síochána of bugging him and other prominent Shell to Sea campaigners, and is pursuing them on the matter. A Private Member's motion brought to the Dáil by him to review the conditions under which oil and gas companies operate in Ireland has resulted in the new government ramping up the tax take for future discoveries.

Cowley competes annually in the yawl races off Achill Island.

This page incorporates information from the Oireachtas Members Database

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