Background
Michael J. Noonan was born on August 4, 1935 in Bruff, County Limerick, Ireland. He was a son of John and Hannah (Slattery) Noonan.
Michael J. Noonan was born on August 4, 1935 in Bruff, County Limerick, Ireland. He was a son of John and Hannah (Slattery) Noonan.
He was educated locally at Salesian College in Limerick, before graduating from University College Cork with a Diploma in Rural Science.
He served as Minister for Defence from 1987 until 1989. Following his education Noonan worked as a farmer before becoming involved in politics. Noonan was elected to Dáil Éireann on his first attempt as a Fianna Fáil Territorial Decoration for the Limerick West constituency at the 1969 general election.
Noonan was a supporter of Charles Haughey in the Fianna Fáil leadership election in 1979.
Noonan was appointed Minister for Defence in 1987. He caused some controversy in this role and got into conflict with the Irish Army over the issue of pay.
After the 1989 general election when Fianna Fáil went into coalition with the Progressive Democrats, Noonan was the major casualty to accommodate the new ministers. He was appointed a Minister of State and remained in this office until 1992.
When Albert Reynolds became Taoiseach, Noonan was sacked.
Noonan subsequently retired to the backbenches. He remained a controversial figure by voting against the Divorce referendum bill in the Dáil and lost the Fianna Fáil party whip as a result. He retired from political life at the 1997 general election.
He first entered local politics when he was elected to Limerick County Council in 1967 and remained a member of this council until 1991. He was rewarded by Haughey by joining the party"s front bench in 1983 as spokesperson on Agriculture.
On November 28, 1961 he married Helen Sheehan. They had five children: Marie Noonan Madden, Ann Noonan Edmiston, John, Catherine Noonan Justice, Carmel, Patrick.