Christy Burke
| Chirsty Burke | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Dublin City Councillor | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 20 June 1985 |
|
| Constituency | North Inner City |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Independent |
| Other political affiliations |
Sinn Féin (to 2009) |
| Occupation | Docker |
Christy Burke is an Independent Dublin city councillor and former member of Sinn Féin.[1]
Burke sided with the Provisionals in the 1970 split in Sinn Féin and the IRA. He served two terms in Portlaoise Prison on IRA membership charges in the 1970s.[2]
In the early 80s he became involved in local politics. He was involved in anti-illegal drug activism in Dublin, particular in Concerned Parents Against Drugs, and criticised the Garda Síochána for their treatment of anti-illegal drug activists.[3][4] He was first elected to Dublin City Council in 1985.[5]
In 1986 he was jailed along with Tony Gregory for fourteen days for campaigning on behalf of Moore Street traders.[6]
In 1996 he was awarded ₤7,500 for distress caused by false statements after a member of the Special Branch had warned Burke he was in danger of being assassinated.[7]
He was involved in peace talks in the 1990s and supported the ceasefires.[6]
After winning a seat in the 2009 local election, he left the party 3 days after winning the seat as a Sinn Féin candidate, leading to criticism by Aengus Ó Snodaigh[1] that Sinn Féin had promoted him in the campaign as its longest serving councillor.[6]
In 2010, the Sunday World newspaper was forced by the High Court to apologise to Burke for a 2007 (pre-general election) article by crime reporter Paul Williams which falsely accused him of involvement with the IRA.[8]
He ran for the Dáil seven times in Dublin Central without being elected.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Burke quits Sinn Féin, Patrick Logue, The Irish Times, 9 June 2009
- ^ Yates, Padraig (1985). "Chapter 14". Smack: The Ciminal Drugs Racket in Ireland. Gill and Macmillan. p. 233.
- ^ Adams urges alliance on drugs, Mark Brennock, The Irish Times, 18 October 1996
- ^ Pushers Out: The Inside Story of Dublin's Anti-drugs Movement, André Lyder, p.32
- ^ Councillor Christy Burke's Profile, dublin.ie
- ^ a b c Much respected councillor a rare Sinn Fein beast, Ciaran Byrne, Irish Independent
- ^ Burke awarded £7,500 in action against former detective garda, The Irish Times, 11 November 1996
- ^ Sunday World apologises to councillor. RTÉ. 9 November 2010.
