Desmond Joseph O’Malley

Irish politician

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July 1, 2026

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Desmond O'Malley was an Irish politician who founded the Progressive Democrats party in 1985. He broke from the Fianna Fáil party due to disagreements on issues such as contraception, economic policy, and Northern Ireland. The Progressive Democrats aimed to be a secular, right-leaning party with liberal stances on social issues and neoliberal economic policies. O'Malley led the party until 1993, and it officially dissolved in 2009.1

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Progressive Democrats
History
21, 1985, principally by Desmond O’Malley, who sought to “break the moulds of Irish political life.” O’Malley had held ministries in all Fianna Fáil governments since 1970 but broke with party leader Charles Haughey over various issues, including contraception, economic policy, and the situation in Northern Ireland. The party…
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21, 1985, principally by Desmond O’Malley, who sought to “break the moulds of Irish political life.” O’Malley had held ministries in all Fianna Fáil governments since 1970 but broke with party leader Charles Haughey over various issues, including contraception, economic policy, and the situation in Northern Ireland. The party…
Read More