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 by | James Cochrane |
| Succeeded by | Peter Bowles |
| Constituency | Ballynahinch |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Lisburn, Northern Ireland |
| Political party | Fianna Fáil (2004–present) Ulster Unionist Party (1997–2004) |
| Profession | Military Officer |
Background
editHe 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- ^ "Shock as UUP man defects to Fianna Fáil". News Letter. 24 February 2008. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
- ^ "Seven are appointed to Council of State". Paul Cullen. 12 January 2012. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
- ^ "Minutes of Meeting of Down District Council". downdc.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 27 September 2006. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
- ^ Down Democrat – 2005/09/30: Top Figures in the frame to replace Gerry Archived 22 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Bicker To Lead New National Park Body[permanent dead link]
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Military Heritage of Ireland Trust". irishsoldiers.com. Archived from the original on 19 February 2008. Retrieved 25 February 2008.