Paddy O'Hanlon

Patrick O'Hanlon, known as Paddy O'Hanlon (born 18 May 1944) is a barrister and former nationalist politician in Ireland.

Born in Drogheda, O'Hanlon studied at University College Dublin. Prominent in the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association, he was elected at the Northern Ireland general election, 1969 as an independent Nationalist MP for South Armagh. In August 1970, he was a founder member of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP). [http://www.election.demon.co.uk/stormont/biographies.html Northern Ireland Parliamentary Elections Results: Biographies] ]

The Parliament of Northern Ireland was abolished in 1973, and O'Hanlon was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly, representing Armagh. In the Assembly, he was the SDLP's Chief Whip.

O'Hanlon stood for the Westminster constituency of Armagh at the February 1974 general election, taking second place, with 29.3% of the votes cast. He stood for the Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention and the 1982 Assembly in Armagh, but on both occasions was narrowly beaten by fellow party member Hugh News. [ [http://www.ark.ac.uk/elections/carmagh.htm Armagh 1973-1983] , Northern Ireland Elections]

Following this second loss, O'Hanlon left active politics and qualified as a barrister. He remains a member of the SDLP. [Ed Moloney, " [http://www.nuzhound.com/articles/mal52-2.htm SDLP looking for 'new' faces to combat Sinn Féin] ", "Sunday Tribune"]

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