P. J. Sheehan

Patrick Joseph Sheehan (1 March 1933 – 10 August 2020) was an Irish Fine Gael politician who 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
Constituency	Cork South-West
Personal details
Born	Patrick Joseph Sheehan 1 March 1933 Goleen, County Cork, Ireland
Died	10 August 2020 (aged 87) Cork, Ireland
Nationality	Irish
Political party	Fine Gael
Spouse(s)	Frances Sheehan (m. 1961; d. 2020)
Children	4

Career

Before entering politics, Sheehan worked as an auctioneer, merchant, and farmer, and used his experiences in these fields to establish his political base.[2] He was involved in politics for more than 50 years.[3] In 1967, he was elected to Cork County Council for the first time.[3] He was a prominent campaigner for rural rights.[3] He once clashed with Taoiseach Charles Haughey in the chamber of Dáil Éireann.[3]

Sheehan was first elected to the Dáil at the 1981 general election, and retained his Cork South-West seat until losing it at the 2002 general election. He regained his seat at the 2007 general election at the age of 74.[4] He served as Fine Gael's Deputy spokesperson on Agriculture with special responsibility for Forestry until 2010.[5] He and fellow Fine Gael TD Jim O'Keeffe were noted for their cooperation within their constituency that successfully foiled Fianna Fáil's efforts to garner another seat in west Cork.[2] Sheehan's support base was concentrated in Goleen, which is approximately 400 km away from the Dáil. Because of this, he would quip that he was the TD "furthest from the Dáil and nearest to the White House".[5]

Sheehan retired from politics at the 2011 general election.[6] He was essentially succeeded as Cork South-West TD by Noel Harrington.[2]

On 20 September 2010, Sheehan resigned his position as Fine Gael's Deputy spokesperson on Agriculture[7] and apologised for being under the influence of alcohol and threatening a Garda officer after she prevented him from driving while leaving Leinster House in July 2010.[8] He was reported to have threatened her career if she disrupted him.[9] His party leader, Enda Kenny, told a sergeant to "ignore what Sheehan had said".[10]

Personal life

Sheehan was married to Frances.[3] Together they had four children.[5]

He died on 10 August 2020, aged 87, after suffering a brief illness, one week after his wife died.[5][2]

References

1. "P.J. Sheehan". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
2. Riegel, Ralph (10 August 2020). "'A wonderful character' – tributes paid to former Fine Gael TD (87) who died after short illness". Irish Independent. Dublin. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
3. Riegel, Ralph (20 September 2010). "Parish-pump politician in game for half a century". Irish Independent.
4. "P.J. Sheehan". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
5. Kelleher, Olivia (10 August 2020). "Former Fine Gael TD Patrick 'PJ' Sheehan dies aged 87". The Irish Times. Dublin. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
6. "FG's Burke to retire at next election". The Irish Times. 26 November 2010.
7. "Sheehan resigns as FG spokesman". The Irish Times. 20 September 2010.
8. "Fine Gael TD resigns deputy spokesperson role". RTÉ News. 20 September 2010.; "Statement from PJ Sheehan TD". RTÉ News. 20 September 2010. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012.
9. "Minister won't get involved following Sheehan's apology". TV3 News. 20 September 2010. Archived from the original on 29 March 2012.
10. "Drunk TD 'threat' to ruin garda career". Sunday Independent. 20 September 2010.