Pádraig Ó Céidigh

Pádraig Ó Céidigh ([ˈpˠaːd̪ˠɾˠəɟ oː ceːdʲiː]; born 1 February 1957) is an Irish former Independent politician and businessman, who served as a member of Seanad Éireann from May 2016 to March 2020, after being nominated by the Taoiseach. He is the owner of Aer Arann Express and Aer Lingus Regional.

He gained a B.Comm. from University College Galway in 1978. He worked as an accountant and then as a teacher at Coláiste Iognáid, went on to study law and began practicing with his own firm in the city.

He ran unsuccessfully for one of the three Seanad seats allocated to the National University of Ireland, losing on transfers despite being third on first preferences, but was nominated to the Seanad by the Taoiseach on 11 May 2016.

Ó Céidigh served as a member of the Governing Board of the Irish state broadcaster RTÉ prior to his appointment to Seanad Éireann.

In March 2018, he announced his intention to stand in the 2018 presidential election against incumbent President Michael D. Higgins, as an Independent candidate, but subsequently did not stand in the election.