Politics

Former Donegal TD Harry Blaney dies

Independent FF deputy was elected to Dáil in 1997 at the age of 74

Harry Blaney with his wife Margaret in 1996. Photograph: Joe St Leger.
Harry Blaney with his wife Margaret in 1996. Photograph: Joe St Leger.
Stephen Maguire
Mon Apr 29 2013 - 10:39

Stephen Maguire

Former Donegal TD Harry Blaney has died.

Mr Blaney was 85 and passed away at Letterkenny General Hospital last night. He was a son of Neal Blaney, who was a TD from 1927 to 1948.

Mr Blaney was elected to Dáil Éireann in 1997 and retired at age 74 at the 2002 general election after serving one term.

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Harry Blaney’s support for the 1997 Ahern government led to the construction of the Harry Blaney Bridge, which opened in 2009 to link the Rosguill and Fanad peninsulas across Mulroy Bay.

The former Independent Fianna Fáil man’s death comes just a few weeks after the death of former Donegal Fianna Fáil Senator Bernard McGlinchey.