Bobby Molloy
Minister of State
1997–2002Environment and Local Government
1997–2002Government
Minister for Energy
In office
12 July 1989 – 4 November 1992
TaoiseachCharles Haughey
Preceded byMichael Smith
Succeeded byAlbert Reynolds
Minister for Defence
In office
5 July 1977 – 11 December 1979
TaoiseachJack Lynch
Preceded byOliver J. Flanagan
Succeeded byPádraig Faulkner
Minister for Local Government
In office
9 May 1970 – 14 March 1973
TaoiseachJack Lynch
Preceded byKevin Boland
Succeeded byJames Tully
Parliamentary Secretary
1969–1970Education
Teachta Dála
In office
April 1965 – May 2002
ConstituencyGalway West
Personal details
Born(1936-07-09)9 July 1936
Galway, Ireland
Died2 October 2016(2016-10-02) (aged 80)
Galway, Ireland
Political partyIndependent
Other political
affiliations
Spouse
Phyllis Molloy
​
(m. 1967)​
Children4
EducationColáiste Iognáid
Alma materUniversity College Galway

Robert Molloy (9 July 1936 – 2 October 2016) was an Irish politician who served as Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal and Minister of State to the Government from 1997 to 2002, Minister for Energy from 1989 to 1992, Minister for Defence from 1977 to 1979, Minister for Local Government from 1970 to 1973, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education from 1969 to 1970 and Mayor of Galway from 1968 to 1969. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Galway West constituency from 1965 to 2002.[1]

Molloy was born in Galway and was educated at Coláiste Iognáid and University College Galway.[2] Molloy was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil TD for the Galway West constituency at the 1965 general election.[3] In 1968, he was also elected Mayor of Galway. The following year he was appointed to the Cabinet as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education. From 1970 to 1973, he served as Minister for Local Government. When Fianna Fáil returned to power in 1977, he became Minister for Defence in the final government of Jack Lynch.

In 1979, Molloy supported George Colley in the Fianna Fáil leadership contest. However, Charles Haughey was the eventual victor. After this Molloy was dropped from the Cabinet, becoming a member of the Gang of 22 who opposed Haughey's leadership of the party. In 1986, Molloy resigned from Fianna Fáil and joined the newly formed Progressive Democrats. In 1989, the party entered into coalition with Fianna Fáil, with Molloy becoming Minister for Energy. That same year he contested the European Parliament elections but was unsuccessful in his attempt. He stood at the European Parliament elections again in 1994, but was again unsuccessful. Following the 1997 general election, Molloy helped in the negotiations for forming the coalition government between the Progressive Democrats and Fianna Fáil. On that occasion he became Minister of State at the Department of the Environment.

Molloy retired from politics just before the 2002 general election amid controversy regarding constituency letters intervening in the rape case of Barbara Naughton.[4]

References

  1. ^ "Robert Molloy". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
  2. ^ Collins, Stephen (2 October 2016). "Former Galway TD Bobby Molloy dies at the age of 80: Long serving minister and founder of Progressive Democrats was TD for four decades". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 4 October 2016.
  3. ^ "Bobby Molloy". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 12 April 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
  4. ^ "Rape victim settles action against hospital". RTÉ News. 17 April 2007. Archived from the original on 2 October 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2012.

Sources

Civic offices Preceded byThomas Tierney Mayor of Galway 1968–1969 Succeeded byFintan Coogan Snr Political offices New office Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education 1969–1970 Succeeded byMichael O'Kennedy Preceded byKevin Boland Minister for Local Government 1970–1973 Succeeded byJames Tully Preceded byOliver J. Flanagan Minister for Defence 1977–1979 Succeeded byPádraig Faulkner Preceded byMichael Smith Minister for Energy 1989–1992 Succeeded byAlbert Reynolds Preceded byPat Rabbitte Minister of State to the Government 1997–2002 Succeeded byLiz O'Donnell Preceded byLiz McManus Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal 1997–2002 Succeeded byNoel Ahern
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