17 Facts About Noel Grealish

Noel Grealish was born on 16 December 1965 and is an Irish independent politician who has been a Teachta Dala for the Galway West constituency since the 2002 general election.

Noel Grealish has served as a Minister of State since January 2025.

Noel Grealish is from the Gaeltacht region of Carnmore, near Galway.

Noel Grealish was first elected to Dail Eireann at the 2002 general election, with 2,735 first preferences, succeeding long-serving TD Bobby Molloy.

Noel Grealish was re-elected at the 2007 general election, with 5,806 first preferences.

Noel Grealish was Deputy Leader of the Progressive Democrats from 25 May 2007 to 24 March 2009, succeeding Liz O'Donnell in the position.

Towards the end of 2007, Noel Grealish stated that he had discussions with a senior Fianna Fail politician about the possibility of him joining Fianna Fail, but made the decision to stay with the Progressive Democrats.

Noel Grealish assumed the leadership of the Progressive Democrats on 24 March 2009, following the decision of then-leader Ciaran Cannon to stand aside and join Fine Gael.

Noel Grealish served as interim and final leader of the party until 20 November 2009, at which point the party disbanded.

Noel Grealish sits as an independent TD in Dail Eireann, and was re-elected as an independent deputy at the 2011,2016,2020, and 2024 general elections.

Noel Grealish supported the Fianna Fail-Green Party government in parliamentary votes from 2007 until 24 September 2010, when he announced that he was withdrawing his support for the government due to health cuts.

Noel Grealish is a super junior minister, one of four Ministers of State in attendance at cabinet, but without a vote.

Noel Grealish went on to suggest this amount could have been generated by crime.

Furthermore, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe called on Noel Grealish to clarify why he focused specifically on Nigerians and to justify his presentation of his figures.

Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy said he did not like what Noel Grealish was insinuating and referred to his rhetoric as "disgusting and potentially dangerous".

Noel Grealish served as Captain of Oireachtas Golf Society and the event took place under his leadership, with the invitation to the event bearing his personal signature and the signature of President of the Society Donie Cassidy.

In February 2021 the Director of Public Prosecutions announced Noel Grealish would be prosecuted for his role in Golfgate.