Profile

Name: Niall Blaney T.D.

Age: 35

Family: Married to Rosaleen with two daughters, Eva and Laragh

Career: Graduated from LYIT with Diploma in Civil Engineering and proceeded to work with Donegal County Council for a number of years as a Civil Engineering Technician with Road Design. Elected to Donegal County Council in 1999 and was subsequently elected to Dáil Éireann as a T.D. for Donegal North East in May 2002.

Political Background: Son of Harry Blaney who was a TD for the constituency from 1997 to 2002 and is a nephew of Neil T Blaney, the former Fianna Fáil Government Minister, TD and founder of Independent Fianna Fáil whom he represented as both a TD and an MEP. Deputy Blaney’s grandfather, Neil Blaney, was a commander of the Old IRA during the War of Independence and the Civil War and subsequently became a founder member of Fianna Fáil, representing Donegal in the Dáil from June 1927 until his death in 1948. For all bar a short period from November 1995 to June 1997 a member of the Blaney family has been represented in the Oireachtas since 1927.

Interests: Soccer, Gaelic, Cycling, Kayaking and Golfing Formerly played soccer with Kerrykeel Football Club and Whitestrand Football Club and played gaelic football with Fanad Gaels. Formerly a member of the LYIT Colleges football team as a student studying at the college. Deputy Blaney regularly appears on the Oireachtas gaelic and soccer football teams and regularly plays for the Highland Radio Charity Football team. Member of Portsalon Golf Club.