John Gormley
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For the Canadian broadcaster and politician, see John Kenneth Gormley.
John Gormley (born August 4, 1959) is an Irish Green Party politician. He is a TD for Dublin South East and is currently the party spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Health & Children, as well as serving as chairperson of the party.
Born in Dublin John Gormley was educated in St. Munchin's College, Limerick, University College, Dublin and Freiburg University, Germany. He contested his first general election in 1989. In 1991 he was elected to Dublin City Council and was Lord Mayor of Dublin from 1994-1995. In 1997 Gormley was elected to Dáil Éireann for the first time - after the famous week-long re-count with Michael McDowell, which he won by 27 votes. He retained his seat in the 2002 general election, increasing his vote substantially and this time taking the first seat.
He has held many positions in the Green Party including Campaign Director for the successful anti-smog campaign in the 1980s. He was elected to the newly-created post of Party Cathaoirleach (chairperson) in 2002, and re-elected in late 2004 with 80% of the party vote. He is seen by many as the most influential figure within the Green Party, having proposed some of the major changes to the party structures such as the name change (from Green Alliance to Green Party) and the need to have a party leader.
He is an assiduous attender of residents' association meetings and stays in contact with his constituents through regular newsletters.
He lives in Ringsend with his wife, Penny, and their son and daughter.
