Paul Lawless (politician)
Irish politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Paul Lawless (born 1996/1997)[1] is an Irish Aontú politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Mayo constituency since the 2024 general election.[2][3]
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Paul Lawless | |
|---|---|
Lawless in 2024 | |
| Teachta Dála | |
| Assumed office November 2024 | |
| Constituency | Mayo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1996/1997 (age 28–29) |
| Party | Aontú |
Background
He played soccer at a youth level and signed a contract for Derby County F.C.[4] He also played Gaelic football for Aghamore GAA Club in east Mayo.
Lawless studied Physical education and History at University College Cork, qualifying as a secondary school teacher and also gained an MBA from Clayton State University, Georgia, USA.[4] Lawless played college soccer for the Clayton State Lakers.[5] In July 2023, he was appointed a peace commissioner by the minister of justice. At the time of his election to the Dáil, Lawless was a maths and physical education teacher at the community school in Ballyhaunis, County Mayo.[4]
Political career
As a teenager, Lawless volunteered for the Libertas Ireland political party.[6] Lawless ran in Mayo for Aontú at the 2020 general election, receiving 4% of the vote and was not elected. He also unsuccessfully contested the Seanad elections in that same year.[7] He was elected to Mayo County Council at the 2024 local elections.[8][4]
At the 2024 general election, Lawless was elected to the Dáil.