Liam Burke

Liam Burke (2 February 1928 – 21 August 2005) was an Irish Fine Gael politician. He was a Teachta Dála (TD) for the constituency of Cork North Central. Burke was first elected to Dáil Éireann in the 1969 general election for Cork City North West. After the constituencies were redrawn, he stood in the 1977 general election in the new Cork City constituency, but lost his seat. He was returned to the 21st Dáil at a by-election on 7 November 1979 in the same constituency, following the death of the Labour Party TD Patrick Kerrigan. That by-election win contributed to the decision of then Taoiseach Jack Lynch to resign in December 1979.

Burke lost his seat for the second time in the 1989 general election but regained it in the 1992 general election. He then retained his seat until retiring aged 74 at the 2002 general election. At that time he and Harry Blaney shared the distinction of being the oldest serving TDs.

He was educated at Christian Brothers College Cork and University College Cork. He was Lord Mayor of Cork for the 1984–85 term.

Burke died on 21 August 2005, aged 77.

His sister, Councillor Mary Woods, is an elected public representative for Fine Gael on the Town Council for Midleton, County Cork. His uncle Tadhg Manley was a Fine Gael TD from 1954–61.

References

* [http://www.ireland.com/focus/election_2002/biogs/burke_liam.htm Biography from the Irish Times]
*oireachtas-database|Liam|Burke
* [http://www.corkcity.ie/citycouncil/mayorsofcork/ List of Lord Mayors of Cork]

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