Paudge Connolly | |
|---|---|
| Monaghan County Councillor | |
| In office May 2014 – June 2024 | |
| Constituency | Monaghan Town |
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office May 2002 – May 2007 | |
| Constituency | Cavan–Monaghan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1953-09-23)23 September 1953 (age 72) |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse | Winnie Connolly |
| Children | 4 |
| Website | Official website |
Patrick Connolly (born 23 September 1953) is a formerindependent politician fromCounty Monaghan inIreland. He was aTeachta Dála (TD) for theCavan–Monaghan constituency from 2002 to 2007.[1]
A psychiatric nurse and part-time secretary of the Health Services Branch of theSIPTU trade union, Connolly was elected toDáil Éireann at the2002 general election as an independent TD, campaigning primarily around the defence of services ofMonaghan Hospital. He joined with other independent TDs to form aTechnical group in order to gain speaking rights in the Dáil. He lost his seat at the2007 general election. After his defeat he stood for election toSeanad Éireann on theLabour Panel, but was not elected.[2] He was elected toMonaghan County Council at the2009 local elections and was re-elected in both 2014 and 2019.[2] He lost his seat at the2024 local elections.
In August 2020, Connolly was one of 81 people who attended a dinner inClifden, County Galway organised by theOireachtas Golf Society.[3] The gathering took place contrary to public health advice that had been issued in response to theCOVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland, and became amajor political scandal. Additionally, Connolly had played golf in Cabo Roig,Spain, on 11 August, so he would have been at most eight days into the 14-day quarantine period which theIrish government required from people travelling from Spain.[3][4]