He stood on a platform advocating the reunification of Ireland, the ending of religious discrimination, and action on social issues.
[4] Later in the year, following civil unrest in Derry, he was appointed vice-chairman of a new Development Commission, which replaced the city's local government.
In 1983, he was appointed to the Seanad Éireann,[6] and facing opposition from unionists, resigned all his public posts in Northern Ireland.
While an independent member of the Seanad, he participated in the New Ireland Forum as part of the Irish Labour Party team.
[1] McGonagle's grandson, Owen Reidy, later also became a prominent trade unionist, as general secretary of the ICTU.