Patrick Beegan (26 May 1895 – 2 February 1958) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician.[1]

Patrick Beegan
Parliamentary Secretary
1957–1958Finance
1951–1954Finance
Teachta Dála
In office
February 1948 – 2 February 1958
ConstituencyGalway South
In office
July 1937 – February 1948
ConstituencyGalway East
In office
February 1932 – July 1937
ConstituencyGalway
Personal details
Born(1895-05-26)26 May 1895
Cappataggle, County Galway, Ireland
Died2 February 1958(1958-02-02) (aged 62)
County Galway, Ireland
Political partyFianna Fáil
RelativesAnthony Millar (nephew)
EducationGarbally College

Early life and revolutionary period

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He was born in the townland of Oatfield, Cappataggle, County Galway, to John Beegan, a herdsman, and Mary Stephenson.[2] Beegan claims that he was active with the Aughrim Company, Ballinasloe Battalion, Galway Brigade, Irish Volunteers from 1917.[3] During the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921), Beegan took part in general IRA activity and claims that he was Battalion Adjutant, Battalion Vice Commandant and Battalion Commandant of 3 Battalion, 1 Brigade (Galway), 1 Western Division, IRA during the Truce period (1921-1922). Taking the anti-Treaty side in the Irish Civil War (1922-1923), Beegan took part in several armed operations against National Army troops. He was captured in August 1922, interned by the Free State government, took took part in a 14 days hunger strike in October 1923 and was released in November 1923. Beegan unsuccessfully applied to the Irish government for a military service pension under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934 but was awarded a Service (1917-1921) Medal in 1944. [4]

Politics

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He was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1932 general election when Fianna Fáil first came to power. He was re-elected for various Galway constituencies a further nine occasions.[5] In 1951 he was appointed to the position of Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance by Éamon de Valera's government. He served in that position until 1954, and was re-appointed in 1957 when Fianna Fáil returned to power. Beegan served in that post until his death on 2 February 1958.[6]

The subsequent by-election to fill Beegan's seat in the Galway South constituency was won by his nephew, Anthony Millar, whose mother, Mary, was Beegan's sister.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ "Patrick Beegan". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  2. ^ "General Registrar's Office". IrishGenealogy.ie. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  3. ^ See Beegan's successful application for a military service pension under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934. Available online at Military Service (1916-1923) Pensions Collection - http://mspcsearch.militaryarchives.ie/search.aspx?formtype=advanced. Reference number MSP34REF11932
  4. ^ Irish Military Archives, Military Service (1916-1923) Pension Collection, Patrick Beegan, MSP34REF11932
  5. ^ "Patrick Beegan". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  6. ^ "General Registrar's Office". IrishGenealogy.ie. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
Political offices
Preceded by Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance
1951–1954
Succeeded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance
1957–1958
Succeeded by