John Patrick Somers

Somers was first elected MP as a Whig candidate for Sligo Borough in the 1837 general election,[3] and was re-elected several times, including in 1841 when he stood as a Repeal Association candidate. His term was brought to an end in March 1848, when the result of the 1847 general election in which he had been elected unopposed was overturned, as he did not possess the required property qualifications,[4] and he was unseated.[5]

At the resulting by-election in April, Somers again stood as a Repeal Association candidate, but was defeated by the Liberal Charles Towneley. But this election too was overturned, due to Towneley being guilty of treating,[6] and at the next by-election in July, Somers was again re-elected as a Repeal Association candidate. Yet, standing as a Whig at the following general election in 1852 he was again defeated by Towneley, in an election which was again overturned due to bribery on both sides.[7][8] At the ensuing by-election in July 1853, Somers stood as a Liberal candidate but was defeated by the opposing Liberal John Sadleir.[5]

Nevertheless, Somers persisted, standing unsuccessfully at the 1857 by-election caused by Sadleir's death, when he was beaten by the Conservative candidate, John Arthur Wynne. Somers was finally returned to Parliament at the 1857 general election, only for this result to be overturned with the vote numbers revised after several electors, including the Mayor of Sligo, was refused a vote.[9] The revisited results put his opponent, Wynne, one vote ahead, and Somers was again unseated in July 1857, almost four months after the general election.[5]

While Somers attempted to regain the seat in 1859 and 1860, he was ultimately unsuccessful and then retired from politics.[5]

Somers was part of the provisional committee of the Irish West Coast Railway, joining in 1845.[10] He was also a Justice of the Peace for County Sligo.[11]

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Mr John Somers