John Ellis

Who is John Ellis?

John Ellis is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician, who was a Teachta Dála and Senator from 1977 to 2011.

Born in Fenagh, County Leitrim, Ellis was a farmer and businessman before entering politics. He is married with three children.

He was elected as a member of Leitrim County Council in 1974, and served as the council chairman from 1986 to 1987 and from 1992 to 1993.

He first entered the Oireachtas in 1977, when he was elected to the 14th Seanad by the Agricultural Panel. He was elected to the 22nd Dáil at the 1981 general election for the Sligo–Leitrim constituency and returned to the 23rd Dáil at the February 1982 general election, but lost his seat at the November 1982 general election, despite topping the poll.

In 1983, he was elected to the 17th Seanad, again by the Agricultural Panel. He stood again in the Sligo–Leitrim constituency at 1987 general election, and was returned to the 25th Dáil. He was re-elected at the 1989, 1992, 1997 and 2002 general elections. He lost his seat at the 2007 general election, partly due to boundary changes which placed him in the newly created Roscommon–South Leitrim constituency. He was nominated by the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern to the Seanad on 3 August 2007.²