List of members of the Oireachtas imprisoned since 1923 explained

This is a list of members of the Oireachtas (National Parliament of Ireland)[1] who served a prison sentence or were interned since 1923 in any jurisdiction before, during or after their time as a Teachta Dála (TD) or Senator.

NamePartyTerm of officePrison timePrison(s)ReasonNotes
Henry Coyle19231924–27?Fraud (Bouncing cheques)[2] Disqualified from the Oireachtas as a result
Seán McGuinness19231925–26MountjoyAssaulting a Garda SergeantDisqualified from the Oireachtas as a result
Dominick CafferkyClann na Talmhan19431954early 1940sSligo Gaol1940s land agitation in MayoLater became a leading Dáil spokesman on penal reform
Bernard CommonsClann na Talmhan1957early 1940sSligo Gaol1940s land agitation in Mayo
James LarkinLabour Party192719441940s?Bankruptcy
John Joe McGirlSinn Féin195719611946 ?IRA membership
1957–62MountjoyActions during the IRA Border Campaign
Tomás Mac GiollaWorkers' PartyNov 198219921956–62MountjoyIRA membership and actions during the IRA Border Campaign
Proinsias De RossaSinn Féin,
Workers' Party,
Democratic Left,
Labour Party
Feb 198220021956–59Mountjoy, Curragh CampIRA membership and actions during the IRA Border Campaign
Bernard DurkanFine Gael19811967Mountjoy, PortlaoiseContempt of Court for activities relating to a farmers protest
Ruairí Ó BrádaighSinn Féin,
Republican Sinn Féin
19571961Jan–Jun 1957MountjoyFailing to account for his activities and actions during the IRA Border Campaign
Curragh CampInternedEscaped in September 1958
Nov 1959–May 1960MountjoyImprisoned under the Offences against the State Act
Jan–Jun 1973Curragh CampMembership of the Provisional IRA
Sinn Féin201120201972,
1973–76
Membership of the Provisional IRAInterned, but imprisoned for attempted escape
Anti H-Block198119821973–76,
1977–86
Illegal importation of arms on behalf of the Provisional IRA and membership of sameElected to Dáil Éireann at the 1981 general election while in prison
Kieran DohertyAnti H-BlockJun 1981Aug 19811976–81MazePossession of firearms and explosives, and hijackingDied on hunger strike in August 1981
Martin FerrisSinn Féin200220201984–94PortlaoiseIllegal importation of arms on behalf of the Provisional IRA and membership of the same
Dessie EllisSinn Féin20111982–90PortlaoiseProvisional IRA membership
Tony GregoryIndependentFeb 1982Jan 20091986MountjoyFor activities during a campaign in support of Dublin inner city street tradersSpent 2 weeks in prison
Joe CostelloLabourNov 1982Feb 20161986MountjoyFor activities during a campaign in support of Dublin inner city street tradersSpent one week in prison
Independent201120141998Loughan HouseNon payment of fines related to the Litter Pollution Act[3] Spent 3 weeks in prison
Liam LawlorFianna Fáil19772002Jan 2001,
Jan 2002,
Feb 2002
MountjoyFailure to cooperate with the Mahon Tribunal[4]
Joe HigginsSocialist Party19972016Sep–Oct 2003MountjoyActions during the Anti-Bin Tax Campaign[5]
Clare DalySocialist Party20112019Sep–Oct 2003MountjoyActions during the Anti-Bin Tax Campaign
United Left7–9 pm, 9 December 2015Limerick PrisonNon-payment of finesFined €2,000 on 22 April 2015 for entering a restricted area at Shannon Airport on 22 July 2014 when protesting against U.S. Air Force landings. Sentenced to 30 days' imprisonment.[6]
Ray BurkeFianna Fáil19731998Jan–Jun 2005Arbour HillFalsifying tax returnsMahon Tribunal stated that Burke was unambiguously "corrupt"
Francis O'BrienFianna Fáil198920112013–15Castlerea PrisonDemanding money with menaces
Ned O'KeeffeFianna Fáil198220112014Falsifying expense claims7-month suspended sentence
Ivor CallelyFianna Fáil198920112014–15Wheatfield PrisonFalsifying expense claims5 months
Mick WallaceIndependent201120192–4 pm, 9 December 2015Limerick PrisonNon-payment of finesSame crimes and sentence as Clare Daly.[7] [8] [9]
James HeffernanLabour Party2011April 2016April–July 2019Cork PrisonDrunken assault on three gardaí[10]
Social Democrats

See also

Notes and References

  1. The two Houses of the Oireachtas are: Dáil Éireann (lower) and Seanad Éireann (upper).
  2. News: TDs who have seen the inside of a cell. Colman Cassidy. The Irish Times. 17 January 2001. 17 June 2009.
  3. News: Siggins. Lorna. From Ming the Merciless to Ming the Mayor. 8 March 2011. The Irish Times. 8 March 2011.
  4. Web site: Time to go, Mr Lawlor. Irish Independent. 8 February 2002. 13 June 2009.
  5. Web site: Jailed politicians 'grandstanding', says Cullen. RTÉ News. 19 September 2003. 1 March 2011.
  6. Web site: TD Clare Daly released from Limerick prison - RTÉ News. RTÉ.ie. 9 December 2015. 10 December 2015.
  7. News: Mick Wallace taken to Limerick Prison over fine. 9 December 2015. RTÉ News. RTÉ. 9 December 2015.
  8. News: Mick Wallace: "I wouldn't pay that fine to save my life". Deegan. Gordon. 22 April 2015. TheJournal.ie. 9 December 2015.
  9. News: Independent TD Mick Wallace is released from prison after two hours inside . Doyle. Kevin. Kathryn . Hayes. 9 December 2015. Irish Independent. 9 December 2015.
  10. Web site: Judge laments 'fall from grace' as he jails former senator.