Patrick Lenihan

Patrick Lenihan (4 September 1902 – 11 March 1970) was a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD) in the Ireland in the early 1960s. He held the distinction of being the only father to be elected to an Irish parliament where his son was already a member.

Born in Kilfenora, County Clare, he was an Inspector of Taxes in Dundalk before being taken out by Seán Lemass to run the Gentex textiles company in Athlone. At its height it was the major employer in the midlands. He also was involved for some years in the Hudson Bay hotel on Lough Ree.

He was elected at his first attempt in the constituency of Longford-Westmeath in the 1965 general election. He beat the long serving Fine Gael TD Seán Mac Eoin in the famous "long count". His son Brian Lenihan had been elected in the neighbouring constituency of Roscommon at the previous election in 1961. He was re-elected to the Dáil in the 1969 general election and died suddenly in 1970. His seat was taken at the subsequent by election by Fine Gael's Patrick Cooney who subsequently went on to serve as a Minister.

Two of his children, Brian Lenihan and Mary O'Rourke served as Irish cabinet ministers. Two of his grandchildren, Brian Lenihan, Jnr and Conor Lenihan, currently serve as Cabinet Minister and Minister of State respectively in the government of Taoiseach Brian Cowen.

Patrick Lenihan was the only member of his family to serve in the Dáil who was not appointed a minister at some stage in his career.

It has been suggested that Patrick Lenihan's brother, Joe, was a British agent. See the article from the Irish Examiner.

See also

* Families in the Oireachtas

References

*Oireachtas-database

External links

* [http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2008/05/17/story62956.asp Irish Examiner article]