Pat Sheehan

Pat Sheehan is a 63-year-old lifelong Republican activist.  A Gaeilgeoir, Pat spent 18 years in prison during which he was on the blanket protest and on hunger strike twice during 1980 and 1981.

In 1981 Pat was on hunger strike in Long Kesh for 55 days and was critically ill when the Hunger Strikes were ended.

He is a GAA enthusiast, who played for Antrim football minors and won championship medals in hurling and football with his local club, Saint Galls GAC.

Whilst in prison Pat gained a degree in philosophy and politics, with first class honours.

He was co-opted to the Assembly to replace Gerry Adams as an MLA in 2010 and he has since been re-elected in 2011, 2016 and 2017.

Pat is Sinn Fein’s spokesperson for education and he has been a member of a number of Assembly committee’s including health, education and justice.  He is a tireless campaigner for truth and justice for the families of the Ballymurphy and Springhill massacres.

Pat has also been a strong supporter of the Irish language, marriage equality, LGBT rights, and women’s and workers’ rights and is deeply committed to the achievement of Irish unity.