Declan Ganley

Ganley was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, to Irish emigrant parents. He returned to Ireland with his parents to live in Glenamaddy, County Galway, at the age of 13.{{cite web |last1=Paul |first1=Mark |title=Declan Ganley: 'Leo Varadkar is a disappointment' |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/declan-ganley-leo-varadkar-is-a-disappointment-1.3444404?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fbusiness%2Fdeclan-ganley-leo-varadkar-is-a-disappointment-1.3444404 |website=The Irish Times |access-date=19 June 2018 |date=30 March 2018}} After leaving school in 1987, Ganley has been involved in business ventures selling Russian aluminium, and in the Latvian forestry sector.{{cite news|url=http://www.businesspost.ie/us-magazine-claims-ganley-set-to-become-billionaire/|title=US magazine claims Ganley set to become billionaire|work=The Sunday Business Post|author=Daly, Gavin|date=19 March 2006}}

In the early 1990s, Ganley founded Kipelova Forestry Enterprises, which became one of the largest forestry companies in the Russian Federation.[https://web.archive.org/web/20120219045231/http://www.cnbceb.com/PrintMe.aspx?ID=1111 CNBC Profile of Declan Ganley]; retrieved 2 November 2008[http://www.albca.com/aclis/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=311 "Declan Ganley – The King of 45,000 Albanian ShareHolders"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123111734/http://www.albca.com/aclis/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=311 |date=23 January 2009 }}, Albanian Canadian League Information Service; accessed 20 March 2014. Ganley sold the company in 1997. In 1996, his company Ganley International founded the Anglo-Adriatic Investment Fund, an Albanian financial fund formed to collect and invest privatisation vouchers. Following political upheaval and several changes of government, the Albanian government ceased its planned privatisation programmes, and the fund became dormant. He formed a company called Liberty Mobile that made two unsuccessful bids, in partnership with Qualcomm, to obtain mobile telecoms operator licences in Iraq from the Coalition Provisional Authority.{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-apr-29-na-iraqphones29-story.html|title=Iraq Cellular Project Leads to U.S. Inquiry|last=Miller|first=T. Christian|date=29 April 2004|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=20 June 2018|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}

Ganley has investments in joint ventures with Nana Pacific, an Alaska Native Regional Corporations with special US Government contracting access.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/1022/1224454452983.html|title=Accounts detail Ganley's stake in US firm|first=Colm|last=Keena|date=22 October 2008|newspaper=Irish Times|access-date=20 March 2014}} This joint venture was structured with the help of business partners Jack Shaw and Don DeMarino. The partnership eventually led to the creation of Ganley's current company, Rivada Networks, and the joint venture company Rivada Pacific formed 49%/51% with Nana Pacific."Declan Ganley's Alaskan Pals", [http://barryjwhyte.com/wp-content/uploads/Declan-Ganleys-Alaskan-pals.pdf The Phoenix] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014174043/http://barryjwhyte.com/wp-content/uploads/Declan-Ganleys-Alaskan-pals.pdf |date=14 October 2013 }}, 5 September 2008.

{{see also|List of Declan Ganley organizations}}

Ganley received the Louisiana Distinguished Service Medal for his work during Hurricane Katrina, where Rivada's emergency deployable communications systems were credited by state and federal officials with dramatically improving communications between emergency response organisations, and saving countless lives.{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/highest-honour-for-irish-katrina-hero-26420039.html|title=Highest honour for Irish Katrina hero|last=Collins|first=Liam|date=24 December 2006|work=The Independent|access-date=20 June 2018|language=en}}{{Self-published inline|date=October 2017}}

Ganley served as the chairman on the Forum on Public Safety in Europe & North America, 2005–2006. He was an advisor on "technology and terrorism" to the Club De Madrid. In 2008, Ganley accepted the Czech Republic's Michal Tosovsky Prize on behalf of the Irish electorate.{{cite web|url = http://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/senat-navsteva-z-evropskeho-parlamentu.aspx |title = Senát - návštěva z Evropského parlamentu|website= Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic |language=cs}} {{citation needed span|He has been an occasional analyst on CNBC's Squawk Box Europe. He has made occasional TV appearances and radio broadcasts in Ireland, occasionally with partner Constantin Gurdgiev.|date=June 2018}}

As of 2022, he is the CEO and chairman of Rivada Networks, a US-based firm specialising in the provision of telecommunications systems to the military, police and emergency services in disaster situations.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0311/1224242664635.html|title=Ganley appoints defence industry figures to communications company|first=Deaglán|last=de Bréadún|date=11 March 2009|newspaper=Irish Times}}

Ganley has written about the future of mobile spectrum and bandwidth for the Sunday Independent.{{cite web |last1=Ganley |first1=Declan |title=Declan Ganley: Bandwidth is becoming scarce – get ready for the revolution - Independent.ie |url=https://www.independent.ie/business/technology/declan-ganley-bandwidth-is-becoming-scarce-get-ready-for-the-revolution-29674172.html |website=Irish Independent |access-date=19 June 2018 |language=en |date=19 June 2018}}

On 14 March 2013, Ganley represented Rivada Networks in testimony to the US House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, for the hearing entitled "Oversight of FirstNet and Emergency Communications".Oversight of FirstNet and Emergency Communications, p. 107, [http://www.hsdl.org/?view&did=734797], One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, First Session, 14 March 2013; accessed 20 March 2014.

In May 2011, Ganley set up a Swiss finance fund, St. Columbanus AG, along with businessmen Constantin Gurdgiev and Andrew Jamieson, which was billed as a "safe haven" for Irish funds from European banks."Ganley firm to help clients put money in Swiss banks" by Donal O'Donovan, [http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/ganley-firm-to-help-clients-put-money-in-swiss-banks-26731515.html The Independent], 11 May 2011; accessed 20 March 2014.

In 2024, Ganley was threatened with jail time or a fine for failing to appear before a New York court in relation to payments that were to be made to David Shuman, a shareholder in Rivada Networks.{{cite web |last1=Whyte |first1=Barry |title=Declan Ganley threatened with jail amid apparent delays in payments tied to debt dispute |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2024/07/19/ganley-threatened-with-jail-amid-apparent-delays-in-payments-tied-to-debt-dispute/ |website=Irish Times |access-date=5 September 2024 |language=en |date=19 July 2024}}

Ganley advocates a Federal Europe, with directly elected office holders representing the people and holding the currently unelected EU Commission to account.{{cite web |last1=Rogers |first1=Stephen |title=Ganley: Treaty is 'empty posturing' |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/politics/ganley-treaty-is-empty-posturing-193861.html |access-date=19 June 2018 |date=14 May 2012}}{{cite web |last1=Sheahan |first1=Fionnan |title=Declan Ganley campaigns for a united states of Europe - Independent.ie |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/declan-ganley-campaigns-for-a-united-states-of-europe-26809281.html |website=Independent.ie |access-date=19 June 2018 |language=en |date=9 January 2012}}

Ganley has described himself as "avowedly pro-life", and actively supports anti-abortion causes in Ireland. In July 2013, he spoke at the Dublin Rally for Life.{{cite web |title=Thousands rally over abortion law in Dublin |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0706/460921-dublin-rally-life/ |website=RTE.ie |publisher=RTÉ News |access-date=19 June 2018 |language=en |date=6 July 2013}}

In 2018, Ganley actively and unsuccessfully campaigned for a "No" vote in that year's abortion referendum.{{cite web |last1=Ganley |first1=Declan |title=Rally for Life protesters 'not represented by any political party' |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/rally-for-life-protesters-not-represented-by-any-political-party-1.3423102 |website=The Irish Times |access-date=19 June 2018 |date=12 March 2018}}

Ganley was the founder and chairman of the pan-European political party Libertas, and was a candidate for Libertas in the 2009 European Parliament election in North-West Ireland. Libertas started in 2006 as a lobby group campaigning for a No-vote to the Lisbon Treaty in the Irish Referendum 12 June 2008, and evolved into a pan-European political movement. Libertas ran candidates in 20 European countries for the 2009 European Parliament election. In Rome, on 1 May 2009, Libertas held its first Party Congress.{{cite web |last1=Mahony|first1=Honor |title=Flags and slogans mark Libertas congress in Rome |url=https://euobserver.com/news/28054 |website=EUobserver |access-date=19 June 2018 |language=en |date=1 May 2009}} Libertas's political policies called for greater levels of democracy, transparency, and accountability within the EU, as well as a twenty-five-page alternative to the Lisbon Treaty.{{cite web |last1=Logue |first1=Patrick |title=Libertas set to contest EU elections next year |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/libertas-set-to-contest-eu-elections-next-year-1.832938?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fnews%2Flibertas-set-to-contest-eu-elections-next-year-1.832938 |website=The Irish Times |access-date=19 June 2018 |date=11 December 2008}} Libertas was revealed to have spent over €5.6 million on campaigning against passage of the Lisbon Treaty in its second referendum,{{cite web |last1=Reilly |first1=Gavan |title=Libertas spent €5.6m in year of second Lisbon vote |url=http://www.thejournal.ie/libertas-spent-e5-6m-in-year-of-second-lisbon-vote-311762-Dec2011/ |website=TheJournal.ie |access-date=19 June 2018 |language=en |date=22 December 2011}} which led Minister of State for European Affairs Dick Roche to state that Libertas were not transparent about their spending on campaigning against the Lisbon Treaty.{{cite web |last1=Hennessy |first1=Mark |title=Libertas 'simply not truthful' on spending, says Roche |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/libertas-simply-not-truthful-on-spending-says-roche-1.947708 |website=The Irish Times |access-date=19 June 2018 |date=31 July 2008}}

The origin of the Party's funding has been questioned.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/opinion/letters/why-secrecy-over-libertas-funding-1471371.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120802083237/http://www.independent.ie/opinion/letters/why-secrecy-over-libertas-funding-1471371.html |archive-date=2 August 2012 |work=Irish Independent |title=Why secrecy over Libertas funding? |date=8 September 2008 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/1206/1228515635297.html|title=Ganley fails to provide clarity on Libertas loan|date=6 December 2008|first=Colm|last=Keena|newspaper=Irish Times}}"Rivada Networks not funding Libertas 'no' campaign", [http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/rivada-networks-not-funding-libertas-no-campaign-26447705.html The Independent], 20 May 2008. Ganley revealed that he personally loaned the party €200,000 for the Lisbon Treaty Campaign.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0923/1222105125507.html|title=MEPs seeking source of Libertas funding|first=Jamie|last=Smyth|date=23 September 2008|newspaper=Irish Times}}{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0925/1222207743809.html|title=More information on funding of Libertas given by Ganley|first1=Colm|last1=Keena|first2=Mark|last2=Hennessy|newspaper=Irish Times|date=25 September 2008}} In 2008, the European Union was reported to ask US Congress about Libertas funding.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0926/1222374595762.html|title=EU set to ask US Congress about Libertas fundraising|date=26 September 2008|first=Judith|last=Crosbie|newspaper=Irish Times}} Gay Mitchell, Irish MEP, questioned whether the Libertas's €1.3 million budget was backed by the CIA or the US military - a claim Ganley and many others openly mocked.Fionnan Sheahan, "Anti-treaty group denies getting funding through US military links: Head of anti-Lisbon Treaty campaign group Libertas, Declan Ganley denies any CIA link to the source of his €1.3m funding", [http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/antitreaty-group-denies-getting-funding-through-us-military-linkshead-of-antilisbon-treaty-campaign-group-libertas-declan-ganley-denies-any-cia-link-to-the-source-of-his-13m-funding-26451099.html The Independent], 3 June 2008. Ganley has never provided exact details on the source of funding.

In May 2009, Irish public broadcaster RTÉ ran a Prime Time profile of Ganley. In response, he stated he would launch "significant and extensive legal action against RTÉ and Prime Time"."Declan Ganley plans to sue RTÉ", [http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/1204/111298-ganleyd/#video RTÉ News], 21 May 2009. Ganley began legal proceedings in December 2011."Ganley takes legal action over RTÉ's Prime Time report" by Niamh Horan,[http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/ganley-takes-legal-action-over-rtes-prime-time-report-26803229.html The Independent], 18 December 2011; accessed 20 March 2014. An opinion piece published by Bruce Arnold in the Irish Independent claimed Ganley was the victim of a government organised smear campaign.Bruce Arnold, [http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/declan-ganley-is-the-victim-of-a-shameful-smear-campaign-26513589.html "Declan Ganley is the victim of a shameful smear campaign"], The Independent, 14 February 2009.

In 2020, Ganley settled the case with RTE for an undisclosed sum, which he said was "substantial", and RTE issued an apology.{{Cite news |date=22 October 2020|title=RTÉ apologises to Declan Ganley over 2008 programme|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/courts/2020/1022/1173220-ganley-primetime/ |work=RTÉ |language=en}}

In May 2009, Arnold produced a 156-page book with Ganley, and 100,000 copies in various languages were to be subsequently distributed across Europe by Ganley.John Drennan, "Ganley to publish his 'vision' in new book", [http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/ganley-to-publish-his-vision-in-new-book-26533116.html The Independent], 3 May 2009; accessed 20 March 2014.

In January 2013, Ganley received an apology and a nominal €50 donation to a charity in an out of court settlement over a defamatory Twitter comment made about him."Declan Ganley receives apology after reaching settlement over defamatory tweet", [http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0108/361786-declan-ganley RTÉ News], 8 January 2013; accessed 20 March 2014. That same month, he agreed to pay expenses of failed Libertas candidate Raymond O'Malley."Declan Ganley forced to pay €35,000 expenses after being sued by failed Libertas candidate" by Ray Managh, [http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/declan-ganley-forced-to-pay-35000-expenses-after-being-sued-by-failed-libertas-candidate-28959282.html The Independent], 16 January 2013; accessed 20 March 2014.

On 14 March 2009, at a press interview Ganley announced his candidacy for the European Parliament, for Libertas in the North-West constituency.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0314/libertas.html|title=Ganley announces North West EP candidacy|date=14 March 2009|website=RTE|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|access-date=20 June 2018}} Until 1 May 2009, Ganley travelled all over Europe to campaign against the Lisbon Treaty, and helped local Libertas branches. On 1 May 2009, Libertas held its first Party Congress and afterwards he focused his campaign on the North-West constituency, canvassing, attending public speeches and debates and appearing on radio and TV. One week after he launched his election campaign, incumbent MEP Jim Higgins branded Ganley a "puppet of the US military".{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/ganley-is-branded-a-puppet-of--us-military-1682436.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120804135044/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/ganley-is-branded-a-puppet-of--us-military-1682436.html |archive-date=4 August 2012 |work=Irish Independent |first=Anita |last=Guidera |title=Ganley is branded a 'puppet of US military' |date=23 March 2009 }} In a pre-election opinion poll Ganley polled 9% of first preference votes in the North-West Constituency.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0516/1224246692541.html|title=Drop in support for FF may not benefit FG|first=Damian|last=Loscher|date=16 May 2009|newspaper=Irish Times}} On 8 June 2009, Ganley polled over 13% but did not gain a seat in the European Parliament.{{cite web|url=http://www.electionsireland.org/result.cfm?election=2009E&cons=241|title=2009 European Parliament - North West First Preference Votes|website=Elections Ireland|access-date=20 June 2018}} Ganley then announced his withdrawal from politics.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0608/breaking59.htm|title=Ganley bows out of politics as Kelly sees off Sinnott|date=6 June 2009|work=The Irish Times|access-date=18 June 2018}}

{{main|Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland}}

In September 2009, Ganley announced he would campaign against the second referendum to ratify the Lisbon Treaty.[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0914/1224254475231.html "Ganley attacks Yes campaign's 'half-truths'"] by Deaglán de Bréadún and Eithne Donnellan, The Irish Times, 14 September 2009; retrieved 16 September 2009. He took part in a televised debate, where he argued with the head of Ryanair, Michael O'Leary, who was campaigning in favour of the treaty.{{cite web |last1=Fitzgerald |first1=Mary |title=Verbal jousting and sharp jibes as O'Leary and Ganley debate Lisbon |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/verbal-jousting-and-sharp-jibes-as-o-leary-and-ganley-debate-lisbon-1.744677 |website=The Irish Times |access-date=19 June 2018 |date=25 September 2009}}

As of 2010, Ganley lived in Abbeyknockmoy, Galway with his American-born wife, Delia Mary Ganley (née Paterek){{Cite web|url=http://www.roscommonpeople.ie/archive/55-archives/declan-ganley---the-mystery-man-from-the-west|title=Declan Ganley - 'the mystery man from the west' - Roscommon People - The People's Paper|last=People|first=Roscommon|website=www.roscommonpeople.ie|language=en-gb|access-date=24 September 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://docs.house.gov/meetings/IF/IF16/20130314/100469/HHRG-113-IF16-TTF-GanleyD-20130314.pdf|title=Witness Disclosure Requirement|publisher=U.S. House of Representatives|date=11 March 2013|access-date=20 March 2014}}{{Self-published inline|date=October 2017}} and their four children, on a 40-acre Moyne Park Mansion, previously home to Scottish folk singer Donovan.[http://www.tribune.ie/article/2008/jun/15/what-will-international-man-of-mystery-declan-ganl "What will international man of mystery Declan Ganley do next?"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608225809/http://www.tribune.ie/article/2008/jun/15/what-will-international-man-of-mystery-declan-ganl/ |date=8 June 2009 }}, Sunday Tribune, 15 June 2008; retrieved 15 March 2009."The naïve child who became Mr No", [http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/the-nave-child-who-became-mr-no-26858340.html The Independent], 26 May 2012; accessed 20 March 2014.

He served for more than two decades in the Irish Army Reserve, as a gunner with the 54th Reserve Field Artillery Regiment.{{Self-published inline|date=October 2017|two decades? If he started working in 1989 with ~20 years old, then when?}}

• Broadnet Holdings BV
• Anglo Adriatic Investment Fund SA
• Adornis.com

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080614191543/http://www.albca.com/aclis/modules.php?name=News&new_topic=39 ACLIS profile: Declan J. Ganley]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090123003644/http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/1127/primetime_av.html?2455463%2Cnull%2C230 RTÉ Irish National TV Primetime Special Investigates "Profile Declan Ganley" broadcast], 27 November 2008
• [http://www.fedspending.org/fpds/fpds.php?fiscal_year=&company_name=Rivada+Pacific&sortby=r&datype=T&reptype=r&database=fpds&detail=3&submit=GO Some contracts awarded to Rivada Pacific by U.S. Government]
• [http://www.jungefreiheit.de/Single-News-Display.154+M5d48ad59dff.0.html Irische EU-Kritiker rüsten sich für die Europawahl]
• [http://www.tanmarket.com/php/modules.php?name=News&file=categories&op=newindex&catid=1 TanPortal News: Declan J. Ganley & Albania]

{{Libertas topics}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ganley, Declan}}

Category:1968 births

Category:Living people

Category:Irish chief executives

Category:Irish anti-abortion activists

Category:Libertas.eu

Category:Politicians from County Galway

Category:People from Glenamaddy