Tom French (Northern Ireland politician)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tom French | |
|---|---|
 | |
| President of the Workers' Party | |
| In office 1994–1998 | |
| Preceded by | Marian Donnelly |
| Succeeded by | Seán Garland |
| Member of Craigavon Borough Council | |
| In office 17 May 1989 – 19 May 1993 | |
| Preceded by | Padraig Breen |
| Succeeded by | Peter Smyth |
| Constituency | Loughside |
| In office 15 May 1985 – 17 May 1989 | |
| Preceded by | District created |
| Succeeded by | Sean Hagan |
| Constituency | Craigavon Central |
| In office 1978 – 15 May 1985 | |
| Preceded by | Malachy McGurran |
| Succeeded by | District abolished |
| Constituency | Craigavon Area C |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1934 Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Died | 12 March 2023 (aged 88) Lurgan, County Armagh, Northern Ireland |
| Party | Workers' Party (from 1970) |
| Other political affiliations | Sinn Féin (until 1970) |
| Spouse | Frances French |
Tom French (1934 – 12 March 2023) was a Northern Irish politician who served as president of the Workers' Party from 1994 to 1998, as well as a Craigavon Borough Councillor from 1978 until the 1993 local elections.
Born in Belfast in 1934, French joined Sinn Féin as a youth and remained with the party as it evolved into the Workers' Party.[1]
After attending teacher training college, he became a schoolteacher in Lurgan, County Armagh. He was an early recruit to the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association and participated in many of its civil rights marches throughout Northern Ireland in the late 1960s. When Sinn Féin split in 1970, French supported the Official wing and was a member of its first Publicity Committee.[2] Much later, he became a founding member of the Peace Train Organisation, which was formed to oppose the Provisional IRA's bombing of the Dublin to Belfast railway line.