Harry Blaney

Harry Blaney
Leader of Independent Fianna Fáil
In office
1995–2006
Preceded byNeil Blaney
Succeeded byParty dissolved
Teachta Dála
In office
June 1997 – May 2002
ConstituencyDonegal North-East
Personal details
Born(1928-02-18)18 February 1928
Fanad, County Donegal, Ireland
Died29 April 2013(2013-04-29) (aged 85)
County Donegal, Ireland
Political partyIndependent Fianna Fáil
SpouseMargaret Blaney
Children7, including Niall
Parent
RelativesNeil Blaney (brother)
The Harry Blaney Bridge was named in his honour

Harry Blaney (18 February 1928 – 29 April 2013) was an Irish Independent Fianna Fáil politician.[1] He was a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Donegal North-East constituency.[2] His father was Neal Blaney, who was a TD from 1927 to 1948.

Blaney was defeated by Cecilia Keaveney of Fianna Fáil at the April 1996 by-election resulting from the 1995 death of his brother, Neil Blaney. He called for a recount but the following day was defeated by 150 votes. In 1997, he was elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1997 general election, defeating Paddy Harte. He retired at age 74 at the 2002 general election after serving one term.[3] He was succeeded by his son, Niall Blaney.

His support for the 1997 Ahern government led to the construction of the Harry Blaney Bridge, which opened in 2009 to link the Rosguill and Fanad peninsulas across Mulroy Bay in north County Donegal.[4]

He died on 29 April 2013.[5]

  1. ^ "Former Donegal TD Harry Blaney dies". Irish Times. 29 April 2013. Archived from the original on 30 April 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  2. ^ "Harry Blaney". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 8 November 2018. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
  3. ^ "Harry Blaney". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 16 September 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  4. ^ "Taoiseach opens 'the bridge to nowhere'". Irish Independent. 16 May 2009. Archived from the original on 19 May 2009. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
  5. ^ "Former Donegal TD Harry Blaney has died". RTÉ News. 29 April 2013. Archived from the original on 30 May 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2013.