Harvey Bicker

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Harvey Bicker
Member of the President of Ireland's Council of State
In office
2005–2012
Member of Down District Council
In office
21 May 1997 – 5 May 2005
Preceded byJames Cochrane
Succeeded byPeter Bowles
ConstituencyBallynahinch
Personal details
BornLisburn, Northern Ireland
Political partyFianna Fáil (2004–present)
Ulster Unionist Party (1997–2004)
ProfessionMilitary Officer

Col. Reginald Harvey Bicker OBE TD is a Northern Irish businessman and Fianna Fáil politician from Spa, County Down, though he is originally from Lisburn.[1]

Background[edit]

He was a member of the President of Ireland's Council of State from 2005 to 2012.[2] Bicker was formerly a councillor serving on Down District Council as a member of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) from 1997 to 2004.[3] Peter Bowles was co-opted as the UUP's replacement on the Council[4] following his appointment as Chairman of the Mourne National Park Working Party by Angela Smith.[5] He is noted for being the first former Ulster unionist politician to affiliate with an Irish republican party after Fianna Fáil announced their intentions to organise on an All-Ireland basis.[6]

Bicker is a retired colonel in the British Army, having served in the Royal Irish Regiment and Ulster Defence Regiment. He is a member of the Military Heritage of Ireland Trust.[7]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Shock as UUP man defects to Fianna Fáil". News Letter. 24 February 2008. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
  2. ^ "Seven are appointed to Council of State". Paul Cullen. 12 January 2012. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
  3. ^ "Minutes of Meeting of Down District Council". downdc.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 27 September 2006. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
  4. ^ Down Democrat – 2005/09/30: Top Figures in the frame to replace Gerry Archived 22 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Bicker To Lead New National Park Body
  6. ^ "Former Ulster Unionist councillor defects to FF". The Irish News. 23 February 2008. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2008.
  7. ^ "Military Heritage of Ireland Trust". irishsoldiers.com. Archived from the original on 19 February 2008. Retrieved 25 February 2008.