Irish politician (1914–2000)
Joseph Michael Sheridan (27 November 1914 – 30 September 2000) was an Irish politician, originally with Fine Gael but for most of his career an independent .[ 1] [ 2]
Sheridan came from Colmcille in County Longford , and had three brothers and two sisters.[ 3] He moved to Westmeath , first to Kilbeggan and then to Mullingar .[ 1] An auctioneer and farmer by profession,[ 2] he was elected to Westmeath County Council ,[ 1] and then to Seanad Éireann by the Agricultural Panel at a by-election on 14 May 1956.[ 2] He was re-elected at the 1957 Seanad election, this time by the Labour Panel .[ 2]
He was elected to Dáil Éireann as an independent Teachta Dála (TD) for the Longford–Westmeath constituency at the 1961 general election .[ 2] In spite of his Fine Gael background, he supported the minority Fianna Fáil government .[ 1] He was re-elected at the 1965 , 1969 , 1973 and 1977 general elections. He concentrated on local constituency needs, with the electoral slogan "Vote for Joe, the Man you Know."[ 1] [ 4] He retired at the 1981 general election .[ 5]
Sheridan had five sons and four daughters,[ 1] one of whom, Kathy Sheridan , is a journalist with The Irish Times .[ 6]
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