Kieran McCarthy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kieran McCarthy
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| Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for Strangford |
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| In office 25 June 1998 – 30 March 2016 |
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| Preceded by | New Creation |
| Succeeded by | Kellie Armstrong |
| Member of Ards Borough Council |
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| In office 15 May 1985 – 22 May 2014 |
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| Preceded by | District created |
| Succeeded by | Council abolished |
| Constituency | Ards Peninsula |
| Northern Ireland Forum Member for Strangford |
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| In office 30 May 1996 – 25 April 1998 |
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| Preceded by | Forum created |
| Succeeded by | Forum dissolved |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 9 September 1942 Newtownards, Northern Ireland |
| Political party | Alliance |
| Spouse | Kathleen McCarthy |
Kieran McCarthy was a politician from Northern Ireland. He was born on September 9, 1942. He was a member of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland, which is a political group. From 1998 to 2016, he worked as a representative for the Strangford area in the Northern Ireland Assembly. This is like a local parliament where laws are made. He also held an important role as the chief whip for his party in the Assembly.
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Kieran McCarthy's Early Life and Career
Kieran McCarthy was born in a town called Newtownards. Before he became a politician, he worked as a draper, which means he sold cloth and fabric.
Starting in Local Politics
In 1985, Kieran McCarthy was first chosen to be part of the Ards Borough Council. This council helps make decisions for the local area, like managing services and planning.
Becoming a Justice of the Peace
In 1990, he became a Justice of the Peace. A Justice of the Peace is a person who helps with legal matters in their local community. They can witness documents and sometimes deal with minor legal cases.
Working for Peace in Northern Ireland
In 1996, Kieran McCarthy was elected to the Northern Ireland Peace Forum. This group was set up to discuss and work towards peace in Northern Ireland. He represented the Strangford area there.
Serving in the Northern Ireland Assembly
After the Peace Forum, he was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly. He won his seat in every election for this body from 1998 until 2016. In the 2007 elections, another political party, the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), tried to win his seat. However, Kieran McCarthy won easily with many more votes.
Views on Important Agreements
Kieran McCarthy often said he really liked the Good Friday Agreement. This was a very important agreement signed in 1998 that helped bring peace to Northern Ireland. However, he thought that a different kind of agreement, where political parties worked together more closely, might be even better.
Dislike for Direct Rule
He also strongly disliked something called Direct Rule. This happened when the government in London made decisions for Northern Ireland instead of the local Assembly. He felt this was unfair because it meant people in Northern Ireland had less say in how they were governed. He especially disagreed with the way the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Peter Hain, governed at that time.
