Liam Quaide
Liam Quaide | |
|---|---|
| Teachta Dála | |
| Assumed office November 2024 | |
| Constituency | Cork East |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1978 or 1979 (age 45–46)[1] |
| Political party | Social Democrats |
| Other political affiliations | Green Party (until 2023) |
| Spouse |
Roisin Cuddihy (m. 2012) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | |
Liam Quaide is an Irish Social Democrats politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Cork East constituency since the 2024 general election.[2]
Early life
[edit]Quaide grew up in Elton, rural County Limerick.[3] He did his undergraduate at University College Cork, graduating in 2001. He went on to complete a Master of Science (MSc) in Ethical and Cultural Studies at NUI Galway and a doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Trinity College Dublin.[4] Before going into politics, Quaide worked as a clinical psychologist.[1]
Political career
[edit]Quaide won a seat on Cork County Council in the 2019 Irish local elections as a member of the Green Party.[1] Quaide stood for the Greens in the 2020 Irish general election in Cork East but was unsuccessful.[5]
In April 2023, Quaide left the Green Party, citing frustration with the government's handling of the Owenacurra mental health facility closure. Quaide,who had campaigned against the closure, criticised his party colleagues for failing to challenge the decision, which he believed caused serious harm to vulnerable individuals. The Owenacurra Centre, located in Midleton, had been slated for closure in 2021 but remained open amid strong local opposition. Quaide argued that the government had rubber-stamped the closure despite mounting evidence that residents were being moved from single rooms to shared dorms, severing their connection to the community.[6][7]
In his resignation statement, Quaide linked the government’s response to the closure with broader concerns about its treatment of vulnerable groups, including those facing homelessness and Mother and Baby home survivors. He also expressed concerns that government policies, such as those related to housing, caused social division and alienated people from the Green Party's agenda. Quaide praised Green Party TD Neasa Hourigan for her efforts in the Owenacurra campaign, noting her actions were more impactful than those of several other local TDs.[6][7]
At the 2024 general election, Quaide was elected to the Dáil.
Personal life
[edit]In 2012, Quaide married fellow UCC alumnus Roisin Cuddihy, whom he met while working in Dublin. The couple returned to Cork after marrying and settled in Midleton in 2014. They have a daughter and a son.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Joy, Jack (1 December 2024). "Midleton man becomes first SocDem elected to Cork East despite weeks-long illness during campaign". Irish Independent. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ "General Election 2024 Live Results – Cork East". RTÉ News. 1 December 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ O'Byrne, Ellie (12 February 2024). "Barbaric bloodsport or way of life: Are coursing's days numbered?". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ a b Campbell, Amy (12 February 2024). "How I Met My Partner: Magical festival weekend led to wedding bells for Liam and Roisin". Echo Live. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ "Liam Quaide Election Results". Elections Ireland. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ a b Graham, Breda (21 April 2023). ""Left frustrated by party colleagues": Cork councillor leaves Green Party over Owenacurra closure". The Echo. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ a b Brennan, Cianan (21 April 2023). "Cork councillor Liam Quaide to quit Green Party over Owenacurra closure". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
External links
[edit]- Living people
- Alumni of Trinity College Dublin
- Alumni of University College Cork
- Alumni of the University of Galway
- Clinical psychologists
- Green Party (Ireland) candidates in Dáil elections
- Green Party (Ireland) local councillors
- Irish psychologists
- Members of the 34th Dáil
- Politicians from County Limerick
- Social Democrats (Ireland) TDs