Desmond O'Malley

Desmond Joseph O'Malley was born in 1939 in Limerick City in Ireland's mid-west region. He was educated in Limerick and became a solicitor in 1962. In 1968, after the death of his uncle, Donagh O'Malley[?], he allowed his name go forward for election and was successful.

O'Malley held several ministerial posts including Justice from 1970 to 1973, Industry & Commerce from 1977 to 1981. During the 80's he was also Minister for Trade and Tourism respectively.

In 1985 O'Malley was expelled from Fianna Fáil for not following party policy on a contraception bill. The following year he formed the Progressive Democrats. In 1989 he formed a coalition government with his old nemesis Charles Haughey. He became Minister for Industry and Commerce.

Dessie O'Malley's daughter, Fiona, was elected to Dail Éireann in June, 2002 as a PD candidate.