Name John Hanafin Nationality Irish Party Fianna Fail | Political party Fianna Fail Spouse Linda Hanafin Siblings Mary Hanafin Children 3 Parents Des Hanafin | |
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Alma mater | ||
Education University College Dublin | ||
John Hanafin Part 15
John Gerard Hanafin (born 27 September 1960) is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician, who was a member of Seanad Éireann from 2002 to 2011. He was elected by the Labour Panel. Hanafin is the brother of the former cabinet minister Mary Hanafin and the son of the former Senator, Des Hanafin. He was first elected to the Seanad in 2002 and re-elected in 2007. He was a member of North Tipperary County Council representing the Thurles area from 1988 to 2003.
He called for a yes vote in unsuccessful 2002 abortion referendum, which would have rolled back the X Case.
On 7 July 2010, he resigned the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party whip, along with Labhrás Ó Murchú and Jim Walsh, in protest at the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 which gave some legal recognition to same-sex couples. He rejoined the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party on 23 November 2010. He called for a referendum on the issue. In 2015 there was a referendum on full same sex marriage, which passed by 62%.
He lost his seat at the 2011 Seanad election.
He unsuccessfully sought to regain his seat in the 2016 Seanad election.