Bobby Molloy

Robert Molloy (9 July 1936 – 2 October 2016) was an Irish politician who served as Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal and Minister of State to the Government from 1997 to 2002, Minister for Energy from 1989 to 1992, Minister for Defence from 1977 to 1979, Minister for Local Government from 1970 to 1973, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education from 1969 to 1970 and Mayor of Galway from 1968 to 1969. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Galway West constituency from 1965 to 2002.

Early life

Molloy was born in Galway on July 6th, 1936. His father, Michael Edward Molloy, was originally from Ballyhaunis, County Mayo, and ran a successful wholesale drapery business in the city. His mother, Rita Stanley, hailed from Clifden, County Galway. Molloy was educated at Coláiste Iognáid and University College Galway. Before entering politics, Molloy worked for several years in printing, the clothing industry and his family's drapery firm.

Political career

Fianna Fáil

Molloy was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil TD for the Galway West constituency at the 1965 general election. In 1968, he was also elected Mayor of Galway. The following year he was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education.

Molloy's early political career was marked by his loyalty to Fianna Fáil’s leadership under Taoiseach Jack Lynch. He quickly rose through the ranks and was appointed Minister for Local Government in 1970, a position he held until 1973. His tenure as Minister for Local Government was characterised by his efforts to modernise and streamline local government structures in Ireland. Molloy’s tenure in Fianna Fáil saw him as a stalwart of the party’s establishment, though tensions with its leadership grew over the years, particularly with Charlie Haughey.

In opposition from 1973, Molloy served as the frontbench spokesman, where he became involved in a high-profile dispute with Jim Tully, the Labour Minister for Local Government, over the controversial redrawing of constituencies, known as the "Tullymander". Molloy, along with fellow Fianna Fáil member Brendan Crinion, used Dáil privilege to accuse Tully of having an improper commercial relationship with a builder in County Meath. The accusation was strongly denied by Tully and Molloy and Crinion later withdrew the charge. Despite this, Molloy faced severe repercussions, being forced to resign from his frontbench position. He was subsequently condemned by a judicial tribunal and censured by the Dáil for abusing parliamentary privilege.

When Fianna Fáil returned to office in 1977, he became Minister for Defence in the final government of Jack Lynch.

Molloy supported George Colley in the 1979 Fianna Fáil leadership election. Charles Haughey won the contest and dropped Molloy, alongside other opponents, from the cabinet. Thereafter Molloy became a member of the Gang of 22 who opposed Haughey's leadership of the party.

Progressive Democrats

In 1986 Molloy resigned from Fianna Fáil and joined the newly formed Progressive Democrats, spearheaded by Haughey's arch-rival Desmond O'Malley. Molloy's move was seen as a major break from the political establishment, as the PDs advocated for low-tax, market-oriented economic policies and a more liberal economic agenda. Molloy’s decision was driven by his dissatisfaction with the direction of Fianna Fáil under Haughey’s leadership and his belief that the party had become increasingly alienating.

In 1989, Molloy contested the European Parliament elections but was unsuccessful in his attempt. Following the 1989 Irish general election Molloy, along with newly elected MEP for Munster Pat Cox, represented the Progressive Democrats in the lengthy negotiations with Fianna Fáil to form a coalition government. Once the negotiations concluded, Molloy was reinstated in the Cabinet as Minister for Energy under Taoiseach Charles Haughey, who had previously caused Molloy’s political humiliation a decade earlier. Over the following three years, Molloy and his Progressive Democrat colleague Desmond O'Malley had a working relationship with their former Fianna Fáil colleagues, though tensions grew due to resentment over their presence in the Cabinet. The issue came to a head when Molloy and O'Malley made it clear they would not serve in a Cabinet that included Brian Lenihan Snr, following his controversial remarks during the 1990 Irish presidential election about alleged phone calls to President Patrick Hillery from 1982.

In January 1992, Haughey faced further complications when Seán Doherty revealed information about the phone tapping of journalists dating back to 1982. Despite this, the coalition government ended when Albert Reynolds, Haughey’s successor, called for a general election after accusing O'Malley of giving "dishonest" evidence to the Beef Tribunal. Molloy strongly denounced Reynolds’ accusation, describing it as "outrageous," and criticised him for what he perceived as a "lack of generosity" in recent North-South negotiations, in which Molloy had represented the Progressive Democrats in talks with British Unionists.

Molloy stood at the European Parliament elections again in 1994 but was again unsuccessful.

Following the 1997 general election, Molloy was part of the negotiations that led to the formation of a coalition government between the Progressive Democrats and Fianna Fáil. On that occasion, he was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government and sat at cabinet as Minister of State to the Government.

Resignation and retirement

Molloy resigned as a minister and quit politics just before the 2002 Irish general election amid controversy surrounding his involvement in the rape case of Barbara Naughton. The controversy stemmed from a letter Molloy had sent to then Minister for Justice, John O'Donoghue, on behalf of a constituent whose relative had been convicted of rape. The letter, which requested the temporary release of the individual pending an appeal, led to public criticism. The case was high-profile, involving a Connemara man sentenced to eleven years for the systematic abuse of his young daughter. During the trial, the judge, Philip O’Sullivan, noted that someone acting on Molloy’s behalf had tried to contact him in his chambers to clarify whether he had received certain correspondence from the victim’s sister, which the judge described as “quite improper.” In response to the backlash, Molloy resigned, describing the letter as a "human error of judgment," but insisting it was not intended to be dishonest. He retired from politics after the election.

Political views

Molloy was a member of Fianna Fáil for over 20 years, but his views were not always in line with the mainstream of the party, particularly under the leadership of Charles Haughey. His decision to leave Fianna Fáil in 1986 and join the Progressive Democrats was motivated by ideological differences, notably the party's move towards a more conservative, state-controlled economy. Molloy, on the other hand, embraced a platform of fiscal conservatism, with an emphasis on reducing taxes, deregulation, and the liberalisation of the economy.

In terms of social issues, Molloy was ahead of his time in advocating for progressive policies, particularly on women’s rights. In a survey conducted in 1976 by the Women's Political Association (WPA), Molloy scored among the highest of any member of the Dáil for his progressive stance on issues affecting women. He supported measures such as divorce, contraception, and family law reform, which were seen as highly controversial at the time. His responses to the WPA's questions revealed that he held views that were in stark contrast to many of his colleagues within Fianna Fáil. Molloy’s progressive views on women’s rights were notable, as he was the only member of Jack Lynch’s cabinet who consistently supported reformist policies on issues like family law and the role of women in public life.

Personal life

In 1972, Molloy married Phyllis Barry, a Montessori teacher from Foxrock, County Dublin, whose father was a cousin of the executed revolutionary Kevin Barry. The couple met while campaigning in a by-election in mid-Cork. Together, they had four children: Sinead, Sorcha, Donnacha, and Dara.

References

Sources

*Henry, William (2002). ''Role of Honour: The Mayors of Galway City 1485-2001''. Galway: Galway City Council.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Molloy, Bobby
1936 births
2016 deaths
Alumni of the University of Galway
Fianna Fáil TDs
Mayors of Galway
Members of the 18th Dáil
Members of the 19th Dáil
Members of the 20th Dáil
Members of the 21st Dáil
Members of the 22nd Dáil
Members of the 23rd Dáil
Members of the 24th Dáil
Members of the 25th Dáil
Members of the 26th Dáil
Members of the 27th Dáil
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Ministers for defence of Ireland
Ministers of State of the 28th Dáil
Parliamentary secretaries of the 19th Dáil
Members of Galway County Council
Members of Galway City Council
Politicians from County Galway
Progressive Democrats TDs
People educated at Coláiste Iognáid