Michael Keyes

Michael John Keyes (31 March 1886 – 8 September 1959) was an Irish Labour Party politician. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann on his second attempt in 1927 as a Labour Party Teachta Dála (TD) for the Limerick constituency.[1] He lost his seat in the second election in 1927 and failed to be elected at the 1932 general election, however, he returned to the Dáil at the 1933 general election.

During the Spanish Civil War he sided with the Irish Christian Front who supported Franco's Nationalists over the Republicans.[2]

In 1949 he joined the Cabinet of John A. Costello replacing the recently deceased Timothy J. Murphy and serving as Minister for Local Government from 1949–1951. During the Mother and Child Scheme controversy he urged the government to accept the Catholic Church in Ireland's rebuke of the scheme.[2]

He served in government again between 1954 and 1957, serving as Minister for Posts and Telegraphs. Keyes fought his last election in 1954 and subsequently retired from the Dáil.[3] He also served as Mayor of Limerick[4] (1928-1930),[5] as did his son Christopher P. Keyes from 1957 to 1958.[6]