Career
He was elected to the Seanad by the Administrative Panel on 7 December 1977, in a by-election caused by the death of Jack Garrett. An accountant Donnelly was first elected to Dublin City Council in 1985 and would remain a member until he lost his seat in 2009. From 1990-1991 he held the office of Lord Mayor of Dublin.
He is a descendant of Eamon Donnelly a chief organiser for Sinn Féin and later Fianna Fáil and subsequently a Teachta Dála (Territorial Decoration) for Leix-Offaly from 1933-1937.
