McConnell, Robert Dodd (1921–94), politician and activist for the blind, was born 27 March 1921 in Bangor, Co. Down, son of Robert James McConnell, farmer, and Helen Jeanette McConnell (née Dodd). He was educated at a local primary school before going on to attend Bangor Grammar School, where he excelled as a sportsman, playing both Rugby Union and golf. On leaving education McConnell began work in the welfare department in Gallaher's tobacco factory in Belfast but before the outbreak of the second world war he had also joined the 8th Belfast Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment. Later he received a commission and, following the allied landings in occupied Europe, his regiment was posted to Normandy. As they advanced into Belgium, McConnell suffered severe injuries when he disturbed a booby trap; over fifty pieces of shrapnel were removed from his body, and he lost his sight. After prolonged recuperation McConnell returned to Bangor, where he soon married his fiancée, Olive Holland. Determined to live as full a life as possible he began to learn Braille, and in 1946 became the first person in Northern Ireland to have a guide dog. After working for a short time in his old job with Gallaher's, McConnell and his wife opened a tobacco and confectionery shop in Bangor, which they ran together for over twenty years.
He decided to enter politics, and in May 1958 McConnell was elected to Bangor borough council, representing the Clifton district as an independent (1958–73). In February 1969 he chose to contest the newly established Stormont constituency of Bangor in the general election called by Capt. Terence O'Neill (qv), prime minister of Northern Ireland. Although the local Unionist Association in Bangor had selected a candidate who proclaimed his support for the beleaguered prime minister, McConnell was sceptical. Consequently he went forward on an independent ticket which stressed his wholehearted support for O'Neill, and in a close fight he emerged victorious as MP for Bangor (1969–73). Taking his seat in parliament as an independent unionist, he supported the reform measures of first O'Neill and then his successor Maj. James Chichester-Clark (qv). As the situation continued to deteriorate, early in 1972 McConnell decided to join the Alliance Party, as he now felt it represented the best means of achieving his goals of February 1969, namely reconciliation and reform. Following the demise of Stormont he was a member of the Alliance Party's delegation at the various negotiations throughout 1973 to produce a new means of governing Northern Ireland, and in May he was elected as a member of the new assembly for the constituency of Down North (1973–4). After the assembly's collapse in the wake of the loyalist workers' strike of May 1974, which also brought down the power-sharing executive, McConnell was again returned for Down North in the elections for the constitutional convention in May 1975. The same year saw him chosen as the president of the Alliance Party (1976–7). In addition, after the reorganisation of local government in 1973 he was elected to North Down district council as an Alliance member (1973–81) and served as mayor of Bangor (1976–7). His service to local government was recognised in June 1977 when he was awarded an OBE, and after his retirement from the council (1981) he was awarded the freedom of the borough.
Outside politics McConnell actively worked for various voluntary bodies, most notably Guide Dogs for the Blind, Bangor Ex-Services Club, the Old Boys Association at Bangor Grammar, and Hamilton Road presbyterian church in Bangor. After a brief illness he died on 28 May 1994 and was survived by his wife and two sons.