 He was educated at Ballylaw Primary School, is a retired lorry driver with the Water Service and was first elected to Strabane District Council in 1993, representing the Glenelly area.He is a member of various bodies including the Drainage Council of Northern Ireland and is current chair of the Western Group Environmental Health Committee.He is also Chairman of North West Passage, which promotes tourism in the area and is a member of the District Policing Partnership in Strabane.