O'Carroll, Maureen (1913–1984)

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O'Carroll, Maureen (1913–1984)

Irish politician. Born Maureen McHugh, Mar 29, 1913, in Galway, Ireland; died May 9, 1984; dau. of Micheál McHugh (Republican prisoner in UK); m. Gerard O'Carroll (cabinetmaker); children: 5 daughters, 5 sons.

Began career as a secondary schoolteacher; elected to 15th Dáil for Dublin North Central (1954–57), the 1st female Labour deputy and 1st woman Labour Party chief whip (1954); defeated for reelection (1957); was a founding member and secretary of the Lower Prices Council (1947–54); helped form Ban Gardai and campaigned to have the word "bastard" omitted from birth certificates for children born to unmarried parents.

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