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]

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

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.