Tom Barry (politician) explained

Office:Teachta Dála
Term Start:February 2011
Term End:February 2016
Constituency:Cork East
Birth Date:10 October 1968
Birth Place:Cork, Ireland
Nationality:Irish
Party:Fine Gael
Children:3
Alma Mater:University College Cork

Tom Barry (born 10 October 1968) is an Irish former Fine Gael politician who served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Cork East constituency from 2011 to 2016.[1]

Private life and career

Barry is a native of Killavullen, County Cork. He is a graduate in Biochemistry from University College Cork (UCC). He is the founder and CEO of a grain drying and warehousing business in his home village of Killavullen. He is also a tillage farmer. He is married to Kathy Quane, a lecturer of Anatomy in UCC's School of Medicine and Health and they have three children.[2]

Political career

He was formerly a member of Cork County Council for the Mallow local electoral area. He was elected as a Fine Gael TD for the Cork East constituency at the 2011 general election on his first attempt.[3]

In May 2013, he wrote to Cardinal Seán Brady and the Papal nuncio Charles John Brown asking whether he would be excommunicated if he voted for the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013.[4] Two months later, in July, Barry was seen on an Oireachtas television broadcast pulling his Fine Gael colleague Deputy Áine Collins onto his lap during a parliamentary debate.[5] Barry later apologised publicly for his behaviour, saying he had been drinking earlier at the Dáil bar (a bar in the Irish parliament), and the Fine Gael party and his wife condemned his behaviour.[6] [7]

He lost his seat at the 2016 general election.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tom Barry. Oireachtas Members Database. 7 March 2011.
  2. Web site: O'Sullivan . Claire. McEnroe . Juno. 13 July 2013 . 'Lapgate' TD not relishing facing his wife . 14 January 2023 . Irish Examiner.
  3. Web site: Tom Barry. ElectionsIreland.org. 7 March 2011.
  4. News: Barry questions Cardinal : Will Government TDs be excommunicated?. Cork Independent. 16 May 2013. 12 July 2013.
  5. News: Tom Barry 'severely reprimanded' by Fine Gael. 12 July 2013. RTÉ News. 13 July 2013.
  6. News: TD Barry apologises for pulling Collins onto lap. The Irish Times. 11 July 2013.
  7. News: 'Horseplay' TD Tom Barry 'mortified' by his actions. Irish Independent. 12 July 2013.