Paddy Gormley
Encyclopedia
Patrick Joseph Gormley, known as Paddy Gormley (1916 - August 2001) was an Irish nationalist politician
.
Born in Claudy
, Gormley was educated at St Columb's College and the National University of Ireland
. In 1945, he was elected to Londonderry County Council, representing the Nationalist Party
. His brother Tom
, soon followed him into politics.
At the Northern Ireland general election, 1953
, Gormley was elected to represent Mid Londonderry
. In the three subsequent elections, he was elected unopposed. However, his increasing distance from the majority of the Nationalist Party lost him the chance to become Chairman of the Parliamentary Party in 1964, Eddie McAteer
instead taking charge.
Just before the 1965 election
, Gormley was seriously injured in a car accident in Carrickmacross
. Although he was elected, he remained in hospital until January the following year and eventually won an action against the driver of a lorry involved in the crash.
Despite his injuries, Gormley stood for Londonderry
at the 1966 UK general election. He took second place, with 37% of the votes cast. In May 1966, he became Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means and Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, standing down in February 1967.
In 1966, Gormley spoke warmly of Prime Minister of Northern Ireland
Terence O'Neill
's overtures to nationalists. He began questioning the party line
on issues such as interdenominational schooling, and called for the Nationalist Party to become a centre left radical
party. He also rejected the idea that Ireland
was a Catholic
state. However, his criticism of more radical nationalists at the start of The Troubles
and his limited support for some of Stormont
's actions lost him his seat at the Northern Ireland general election, 1969
.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
.
Born in Claudy
Claudy
Claudy is a village in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It lies southeast of Derry, where the River Glenrandal joins the River Faughan. Claudy is located in the Faughan Valley....
, Gormley was educated at St Columb's College and the National University of Ireland
National University of Ireland
The National University of Ireland , , is a federal university system of constituent universities, previously called constituent colleges, and recognised colleges set up under the Irish Universities Act, 1908, and significantly amended by the Universities Act, 1997.The constituent universities are...
. In 1945, he was elected to Londonderry County Council, representing the Nationalist Party
Nationalist Party (Northern Ireland)
The Nationalist Party† - was the continuation of the Irish Parliamentary Party, and was formed after partition, by the Northern Ireland-based members of the IPP....
. His brother Tom
Tom Gormley
Tom Gormley was a politician in Northern Ireland.Born in Claudy, Gormley became a farmer before following his brother Paddy into politics. He was elected to Strabane Rural District Council in 1947, and to Tyrone County Council in 1950....
, soon followed him into politics.
At the Northern Ireland general election, 1953
Northern Ireland general election, 1953
-References:*...
, Gormley was elected to represent Mid Londonderry
Mid Londonderry (Northern Ireland Parliament constituency)
Mid Londonderry was a county constituency comprising the central part of County Londonderry. It was created in 1929, when the House of Commons Act 1929 introduced first-past-the-post elections throughout Northern Ireland...
. In the three subsequent elections, he was elected unopposed. However, his increasing distance from the majority of the Nationalist Party lost him the chance to become Chairman of the Parliamentary Party in 1964, Eddie McAteer
Eddie McAteer
Eddie McAteer was an nationalist politician in Northern Ireland.Born in Coatbridge, Scotland, McAteer's family moved to Derry in Northern Ireland while he was young. In 1930 he joined the Inland Revenue, where he worked until 1944. He then became an accountant and more actively involved in politics...
instead taking charge.
Just before the 1965 election
Northern Ireland general election, 1965
-Seats summary:-References:*...
, Gormley was seriously injured in a car accident in Carrickmacross
Carrickmacross
Carrickmacross or Carrickmacros is a town in County Monaghan, Ireland. The town and environs had a population of 4,387 according to the 2006 census, making it the second largest town in the county. The town won the prestigious European Entente Florale Silver Medal Award. It is a market town which...
. Although he was elected, he remained in hospital until January the following year and eventually won an action against the driver of a lorry involved in the crash.
Despite his injuries, Gormley stood for Londonderry
Londonderry (UK Parliament constituency)
Londonderry was a Parliamentary Constituency in the House of Commons and also a constituency in elections to various regional bodies. It was replaced in boundary changes in 1983...
at the 1966 UK general election. He took second place, with 37% of the votes cast. In May 1966, he became Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means and Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, standing down in February 1967.
In 1966, Gormley spoke warmly of Prime Minister of Northern Ireland
Prime Minister of Northern Ireland
The Prime Minister of Northern Ireland was the de facto head of the Government of Northern Ireland. No such office was provided for in the Government of Ireland Act 1920. However the Lord Lieutenant, as with Governors-General in other Westminster Systems such as in Canada, chose to appoint someone...
Terence O'Neill
Terence O'Neill
Terence Marne O'Neill, Baron O'Neill of the Maine, PC was the fourth Prime Minister of Northern Ireland and leader of the Ulster Unionist Party...
's overtures to nationalists. He began questioning the party line
Party line (politics)
In politics, the line or the party line is an idiom for a political party or social movement's canon agenda, as well as specific ideological elements specific to the organization's partisanship. The common phrase toeing the party line describes a person who speaks in a manner that conforms to his...
on issues such as interdenominational schooling, and called for the Nationalist Party to become a centre left radical
Radicalization
Radicalization is the process in which an individual changes from passiveness or activism to become more revolutionary, militant or extremist. Radicalization is often associated with youth, adversity, alienation, social exclusion, poverty, or the perception of injustice to self or others.-...
party. He also rejected the idea that Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
was a Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
state. However, his criticism of more radical nationalists at the start of The Troubles
The Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
and his limited support for some of Stormont
Parliament of Northern Ireland
The Parliament of Northern Ireland was the home rule legislature of Northern Ireland, created under the Government of Ireland Act 1920, which sat from 7 June 1921 to 30 March 1972, when it was suspended...
's actions lost him his seat at the Northern Ireland general election, 1969
Northern Ireland general election, 1969
-References:*...
.