Patrick Beegan (26 May 1895 – 2 February 1958) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician.[1]
Patrick Beegan | |
|---|---|
| Parliamentary Secretary | |
| 1957–1958 | Finance |
| 1951–1954 | Finance |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office February 1948 – 2 February 1958 | |
| Constituency | Galway South |
| In office July 1937 – February 1948 | |
| Constituency | Galway East |
| In office February 1932 – July 1937 | |
| Constituency | Galway |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 26 May 1895 Cappataggle, County Galway, Ireland |
| Died | 2 February 1958 (aged 62) County Galway, Ireland |
| Political party | Fianna Fáil |
| Relatives | Anthony Millar (nephew) |
| Education | Garbally College |
Early life and revolutionary period edit
He was born in the townland of Oatfield, Cappataggle, County Galway, to John Beegan, a herdsman, and Mary Stephenson.[2] Beegan claims that he was active with the Aughrim Company, Ballinasloe Battalion, Galway Brigade, Irish Volunteers from 1917.[3] During the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921), Beegan took part in general IRA activity and claims that he was Battalion Adjutant, Battalion Vice Commandant and Battalion Commandant of 3 Battalion, 1 Brigade (Galway), 1 Western Division, IRA during the Truce period (1921-1922). Taking the anti-Treaty side in the Irish Civil War (1922-1923), Beegan took part in several armed operations against National Army troops. He was captured in August 1922, interned by the Free State government, took took part in a 14 days hunger strike in October 1923 and was released in November 1923. Beegan unsuccessfully applied to the Irish government for a military service pension under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934 but was awarded a Service (1917-1921) Medal in 1944. [4]
Politics edit
He was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1932 general election when Fianna Fáil first came to power. He was re-elected for various Galway constituencies a further nine occasions.[5] In 1951 he was appointed to the position of Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance by Éamon de Valera's government. He served in that position until 1954, and was re-appointed in 1957 when Fianna Fáil returned to power. Beegan served in that post until his death on 2 February 1958.[6]
The subsequent by-election to fill Beegan's seat in the Galway South constituency was won by his nephew, Anthony Millar, whose mother, Mary, was Beegan's sister.[citation needed]
References edit
- ^ "Patrick Beegan". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
- ^ "General Registrar's Office". IrishGenealogy.ie. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
- ^ See Beegan's successful application for a military service pension under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934. Available online at Military Service (1916-1923) Pensions Collection - http://mspcsearch.militaryarchives.ie/search.aspx?formtype=advanced. Reference number MSP34REF11932
- ^ Irish Military Archives, Military Service (1916-1923) Pension Collection, Patrick Beegan, MSP34REF11932
- ^ "Patrick Beegan". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
- ^ "General Registrar's Office". IrishGenealogy.ie. Retrieved 1 February 2017.