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Independent Fianna Fáil
Independent Fianna Fáil was a splinter republican party in the Republic of Ireland created by Neil Blaney after his expulsion from Fianna Fáil following the Irish Arms Crisis (1969–1970). The party ceased to exist on 26 July 2006. It was never an officially registered political party: Niall Blaney said in 2003 "I am an Independent and a member of an organisation known locally as Independent Fianna Fáil". Its candidates were listed on ballot papers without a party label, or the use of the "Non-party" label available to independents. However, the Oireachtas members' database lists Independent Fianna Fáil members separately. Overview The party existed mainly in County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland and, in particular, in Blaney's former constituency of Donegal North-East. Paddy Keaveney (father of Fianna Fáil Senator Cecilia Keaveney) was elected for Independent Fianna Fáil in the by-election in 1976 following the death of Liam Cunningham. Keaveney lost his seat at ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Neil Blaney
Neil Terence Columba Blaney (1 October 1922 – 8 November 1995) was an Irish politician. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1948 as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD) representing Donegal East. A high-profile member of the party, Blaney served as a government minister several times; he was Minister for Posts and Telegraphs (1957), Minister for Local Government (1957–1966) and Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries (1966–1970). In 1970 Blaney's career was radically altered when, alongside Charles Haughey, he was involved in the Arms Crisis and stood accused of clandestinely arranging to provide weapons to the newly-emergent Provisional Irish Republican Army. Although later acquitted of wrongdoing in an Irish court, Blaney involvement in the crisis saw him stripped of his ministries and eventually forced his expulsion from Fianna Fáil. A dogged political campaigner, Blaney managed to retain his seat in Donegal and remained a TD for another two decades, running unde ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |