Christy Burke

Who is Christy Burke?

Christy Burke is an independent Dublin City Councillor and current Lord Mayor of Dublin.

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.

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. He was first elected to Dublin City Council in 1985.

In 1986 he was jailed along with Tony Gregory for fourteen days for campaigning on behalf of Moore Street traders.

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.

He was involved in peace talks in the 1990s and supported the ceasefires.

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 that Sinn Féin had promoted him in the campaign as its longest serving councillor.