About me

I am a political liberal with a strong social conscience. I believe in protecting individuals’ liberties and freedoms while also giving a helping hand to those in need. I believe that people should be treated as individuals and not automatically assigned to a particular group because of their background.

I joined Alliance because I felt that the most important issue for Northern Ireland was coming to terms with our past and moving towards a shared future. Alliance was (and still is) the only party that offers a credible alternative vision to stereotypical nationalist and unionist politics.

I recently stood in the General Election as the Alliance Party candidate in my native West Tyrone, achieving the best ever Westminster result for Alliance in that constituency (well, I was only the 2nd candidate to stand in a Westminster election there since the constituency was formed 14 years ago…)!

I grew up in Inver, Co. Donegal and Augher and Omagh in Co. Tyrone. I was educated in Augher Central Primary School, Omagh Academy and Queen’s University Belfast (where I graduated with first-class honours in Psychology).

I am married to the very beautiful Christine whom I met through the Alliance Party. I am so very lucky to have such a loving and supportive wife. She makes me the happiest man alive . She is a qualified teacher and now works as a support worker for families affected by drug and alcohol misuse.