John Jinks | |
|---|---|
 Jinks as Mayor of Sligo,c. 1920s | |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office June 1927 – September 1927 | |
| Constituency | Leitrim–Sligo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Jenk (1871-05-04)4 May 1871 Drumcliff,County Sligo, Ireland |
| Died | 11 September 1934(1934-09-11) (aged 63) County Sligo, Ireland |
| Political party | National League Party |
| Other political affiliations | |
John Jinks (4 May 1871 – 11 September 1934) (often known asAlderman Jinks from his position as anAlderman onSligo Corporation) was an Irish politician who served inDáil Éireann from June to August 1927.
He was born as John Jenk, to Patrick Jenk (also Jinks), a farmer, and Bridget Gilmartin, ofDrumcliff,County Sligo.[1][2]
An auctioneer and licensed grocer, he was elected to Dáil Éireann asTeachta Dála (TD) for the 7-seatLeitrim–Sligo constituency at theJune 1927 general election for theNational League Party.[3]
He is most famous for his absence, on 16 August 1927, from a crucial vote. TheLabour Party had proposed amotion of no confidence in theCumann na nGaedhealExecutive Council. They proposed an alternative coalition government with the National League, supported byFianna Fáil, which had just entered the Dáil. Jinks's abstention resulted in a tied vote (71–71) and the government survived on thecasting vote of theCeann Comhairle.[4] His absence had been unannounced and unauthorised by the party. He afterwards explained that he had been opposed to the proposed alliance between the National League, Labour andFianna Fáil, but did not want to create a split by voting against the party or by announcing his decision in advance. He described the "sensational rumour" of a kidnapping as "sheer invention".[5] Many colourful stories have grown up over the years as to the means by which his absence from the voting lobbies was secured.[6] It has been written that two fellow Sligomen and Protestants, MajorBryan Cooper andBertie Smyllie of theIrish Times "induced" Jinks to take the train back to Sligo that morning and absent himself from the vote lest his constituents discover he had voted forEamon de Valera.[7]
Jinks resigned from the National League on 18 August, stating that he could not "remain any longer a member of a party from which my political outlook so distinctly differs".[8][9] After Cumann na nGaedheal won two by-elections held on 24 August, a new general election was called. In theSeptember 1927 general election, he stood as anindependent candidate, but was not re-elected.[3]
In 1928 and 1934, he was elected toSligo County Council as aCumann na nGaedheal andFine Gael candidate respectively.[3]
A racehorse,Mr Jinks, was named after him and had some success in races in England.
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| People | |
