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Patrick Joseph Sheehan (1 March 1933 – 10 August 2020), known as P. J. Sheehan, was an 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.

Career

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

Sheehan was first elected to Dáil Éireann 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. He served as Fine Gael's Deputy spokesperson on Agriculture with special responsibility for Forestry until 2010. He and fellow Fine Gael TD Jim O'Keeffe were noted for their cooperation that successfully staved off Fianna Fáil's efforts to garner another seat in west Cork. His 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 the White House".

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

Drink driving incident

On 20 September 2010, Sheehan 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. He was reported to have threatened her career if she disrupted him. His party leader Enda Kenny told a sergeant to "ignore what Sheehan had said". Sheehan resigned his position as Fine Gael's Deputy spokesperson on Agriculture later on 20 September with immediate effect.

Personal life

Sheehan was married to Frances. Together, they had four children. His wife frequently accompanied him to constituency clinics. Before entering politics, he worked as an auctioneer, merchant and farmer, and utilised his experiences in these fields to establish his political base.

Sheehan died on 10 August 2020 after suffering a brief illness. He was 87, and died one week after his wife.

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. ^ Kelleher, Olivia (10 August 2020). "Former Fine Gael TD Patrick 'PJ' Sheehan dies aged 87". The Irish Times. Dublin. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
5. ^ 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.
6. "FG's Burke to retire at next election". The Irish Times. 26 November 2010.
7. "Fine Gael TD resigns deputy spokesperson role". RTÉ News. 20 September 2010.
8. "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.
11. "Sheehan resigns as FG spokesman". The Irish Times. 20 September 2010.

• 1933 births
• 2020 deaths
• Charles Haughey
• Fine Gael TDs
• Irish farmers
• Local councillors in County Cork
• Members of the 22nd Dáil
• Members of the 23rd Dáil
• Members of the 24th Dáil
• Members of the 25th Dáil
• Members of the 26th Dáil
• Members of the 27th Dáil
• Members of the 28th Dáil
• Members of the 30th Dáil