Patrick O'Donnell (Irish politician)

Patrick O'Donnell
Patrick O'Donnell
Minister for Local Government
	In office; 2 June 1954 – 20 March 1957
Taoiseach	John A. Costello
Preceded by	Paddy Smith
Succeeded by	Paddy Smith
Teachta Dála
	In office; June 1969 – 4 October 1970
Constituency	Donegal–Leitrim
	In office; October 1961 – June 1969
Constituency	Donegal South-West
	In office; November 1949 – October 1961
Constituency	Donegal West
Personal details
Born	21 August 1907; County Meath, Ireland
Died	4 October 1970 (aged 63); Dublin, Ireland
Political party	Fine Gael
Spouse	Joan O'Donnell
Children	4
Education	St Eunan's College
Alma mater	University College Dublin

Patrick A. O'Donnell (21 August 1907 – 4 October 1970) was an Irish Fine Gael politician and Teachta Dála (TD) for over twenty years.^[1]

He was born on 21 August 1907 in County Meath to James F. O'Donnell, a hotelier, of Burtonport, County Donegal, and Bridget O'Donnell (née McDonnell).^[2] Raised in Burtonport, O'Donnell was educated at national schools in Meenmore and Meenamara, and at St Eunan's College in Letterkenny.^[2]

He studied for a time at University College Dublin, and qualified as a solicitor in 1930, serving his apprenticeship with a firm in Ballybofey, County Donegal. He established his own practice in Dungloe, which became one of the largest and most successful in Ireland, with extensive business throughout counties Donegal, Sligo, and Leitrim.^[2]

While Minister for Local Government, attended the St Eunan's College Golden Jubilee there in September 1956.^[3] He was a member of Donegal County Council from 1959 to 1970.^[2]

He was first elected to Dáil Éireann on 16 November 1949 for the Donegal West constituency, in a by-election caused by the death of Fianna Fáil TD Brian Brady. He was re-elected at the 1951 general election and retained his Dáil seat until his death in 1970.^[4] O'Donnell was also a member of cabinet, serving as Minister for Local Government in the Second Inter-Party Government under Taoiseach John A. Costello. He was the first Donegal deputy ever to serve in cabinet.^[2]

References

^ "Patrick O'Donnell". Oireachtas Members Database. 2 March 1972. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e White, Lawrence William. "O'Donnell, Patrick A." Dictionary of Irish Biography. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
^ "The Golden Jubilee tinged with sadness". St. Eunan's College: 1906–2006. Browne Printers Ltd. 2006. p. 46.
^ "Patrick O'Donnell". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 19 August 2012.

Political offices
Preceded by Paddy Smith	Minister for Local Government 1954–1957	Succeeded by Paddy Smith

[oireachtas_db-1] "Patrick O'Donnell". Oireachtas Members Database. 2 March 1972. Retrieved 19 August 2012.

[dib-2] White, Lawrence William. "O'Donnell, Patrick A." Dictionary of Irish Biography. Retrieved 5 August 2022.

[3] "The Golden Jubilee tinged with sadness". St. Eunan's College: 1906–2006. Browne Printers Ltd. 2006. p. 46.

[elecs_irl-4] "Patrick O'Donnell". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 19 August 2012.

[5] Breslin was Ceann Comhairle from 1967 to 1973. As outgoing Ceann Comhairle, he was automatically re-elected at the 1969 and 1973 general elections.

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