Cathal Berry

Cathal Berry is an Irish Independent politician, former Irish Army officer and medical doctor who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Kildare South constituency since the 2020 general election.[1]

Cathal Berry

TD
Berry in 2020
Teachta Dála
Assumed office
February 2020
ConstituencyKildare South
Personal details
BornWaterford, Ireland
NationalityIrish
Political partyIndependent
Websitecathalberry.com
Military service
Allegiance Ireland
Branch/service Army
Infantry Corps
Years of service1995–2019
Rank Commandant
UnitArmy Ranger Wing
CommandsHead of Military Medical School
Deputy Commander ARW

Military service

Berry was a career Line Infantry officer and served for six years as the second-in-command (2IC) of the Army Ranger Wing, Ireland's special operations unit, before qualifying as a medical doctor and becoming the head of the Military Medical School of the Irish Defence Forces. He deployed overseas five times, with NATO in Kosovo, the EU in Chad and the UN in the Middle East (Lebanon). Originally from Ballyduff, County Waterford, he joined the army at the age of 18.[2]

Berry came to public attention in 2019, unusual for a soldier, particularly with service in the ARW, when upon retiring after 23 years in the Defence Forces, he spoke to the media about poor pay and conditions within the military and the disillusionment of military personnel with the perceived dysfunctional relationship between the military authorities and the Department of Defence.[3][4]

Berry called for the resignation of Paul Kehoe, the Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Junior Defence Minister), whom he described as an "empty suit" who has "presided over the demise of the Defence Force" since he took up the role in 2011.[5]

Education

Berry holds a Bachelors degree in Science and Master of Law in Peace Support Operations and International Humanitarian Law from NUI Galway, a Bachelor of Medicine, Obstetrics and Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland as well as qualifications in French language, and leadership, management and defence studies from NUI Maynooth.

Politics

Berry was elected to Dáil Éireann as an Independent candidate in the Kildare South constituency at the 2020 general election with his platform being "health, housing, the environment, education and Defence Force families".[6]

References
  1. "Cathal Berry". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  2. "Dr. Cathal Berry Bio". Cathal Berry. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  3. Lally, Conor (28 May 2019). "Leaving the Army: 'No other uniformed service would put up with this abuse'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  4. O'Riordan, Sean (28 May 2019). "Families are 'living in abject poverty': Former commandant calls on Defence Minister to resign". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  5. O'Connor, Niall (28 May 2019). "Elite former Irish Army Ranger hits out at Government for 'dismantling' Defence Forces". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  6. Beatty, Eoin (12 January 2020). "Former Soldier Cathal Berry To Run As Independent Candidate In Kildare South Constituency In Upcoming Election". KFM Radio. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
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