Tom Gormley (politician)

(Redirected from Thomas Columba Gormley)

Thomas Gormley (29 July 1916 – 1984) was a politician in Northern Ireland, and a member of the Northern Ireland parliament for Mid Tyrone from 1962 until its suspension in 1972.

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.[1]

At the 1958 Northern Ireland general election, Gormley stood as an Independent Farmers' Candidate on a nationalist platform in Mid Tyrone, coming second. At the 1962 election, he was elected there for the official Nationalist Party.[1] With his brother, he represented the liberal tendency in the party.[2]

In November 1969, Gormley resigned to sit as an Independent Nationalist, and in 1972, he joined the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (APNI). He stood unsuccessfully in Mid Ulster for APNI[3] at the 1973 Northern Ireland Assembly election, but was elected to Strabane District Council, on which he served until 1977.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Biographies of Members of the Northern Ireland House of Commons
  2. ^ George Thayer, The British Political Fringe: A Profile
  3. ^ Mid Ulster 1973–82
Parliament of Northern Ireland
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Mid Tyrone
1962–1973
Parliament abolished