J. J. Dalton

James Joseph Dalton (6 February 1861 – 10 July 1924)[1] was an Irish nationalist Member of Parliament (MP) for West Donegal from 1890 to 1892.

He was elected unopposed to represent West Donegal at a by-election in May 1890, taking his seat in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

He contested the result through a successful petition to the courts, alleging improper interference by the Catholic clergy.

[6] A new writ was issued, but in the ensuing by-election in February 1893, Dalton again lost narrowly, obtaining 2,638 votes while the new Anti-Parnellite candidate Jeremiah Jordan had 2,707.

The course and outcome of Dalton's challenge to the clergy in 1892 were almost identical to those experienced by his Parnellite colleague Pierce Mahony at North Meath.