Patrick Cooney

Patrick Cooney
Cooney in 1994
Minister for Education
In office
14 February 1986 – 10 March 1987
TaoiseachGarret FitzGerald
Preceded byGemma Hussey
Succeeded byMary O'Rourke
Minister for Defence
In office
14 December 1982 – 14 February 1986
TaoiseachGarret FitzGerald
Preceded byPaddy Power
Succeeded byPaddy O'Toole
Minister for Transport
In office
30 June 1981 – 9 March 1982
TaoiseachGarret FitzGerald
Preceded byAlbert Reynolds
Succeeded byJohn Wilson
Minister for Posts and Telegraphs
In office
30 June 1981 – 9 March 1982
TaoiseachGarret FitzGerald
Preceded byAlbert Reynolds
Succeeded byJohn Wilson
Minister for Justice
In office
14 March 1973 – 5 July 1977
TaoiseachLiam Cosgrave
Preceded byDesmond O'Malley
Succeeded byGerry Collins
Member of the European Parliament
In office
1 July 1989 – 24 May 1994
ConstituencyLeinster
Teachta Dála
In office
June 1981 – June 1989
In office
April 1970 – June 1977
ConstituencyLongford–Westmeath
Senator
In office
27 October 1977 – 11 June 1981
ConstituencyCultural and Educational Panel
Personal details
Born(1931-03-02)2 March 1931
Dublin, Ireland
Died6 December 2025(2025-12-06) (aged 94)
Dublin, Ireland
PartyFine Gael
Spouse
Brigid McMenamin
(m. 1958)
Children4
EducationCastleknock College
Alma materUniversity College Dublin

Patrick Mark Cooney (2 March 1931 – 6 December 2025) was an Irish Fine Gael politician who served as a government minister in the cabinets of Liam Cosgrave (1973–1977) and Garret FitzGerald (1981–1982 and 1982–1987). He served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the Leinster constituency from 1989 to 1994. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Longford–Westmeath constituency from 1970 to 1977 and between 1981 and 1989. He also served as a Senator for the Cultural and Educational Panel from 1977 to 1981.