Peter Casey

Peter Casey
Name	Peter Casey
Birth date	1 July 1957
Birth place	Derry, Northern Ireland
Nationality	Irish
Occupation	Businessman, politician
Known for	Dragon's Den investor, 2018 presidential candidate
Party	Independent (2018)
Spouse	Helen Casey

Peter Casey. Peter Casey is an Irish businessman, television personality, and former independent presidential candidate. He gained national prominence as an investor on the Irish version of the television series Dragon's Den. His 2018 campaign for the presidency was marked by significant controversy, particularly regarding comments on the Traveller community, which propelled him to a surprise second-place finish in the election.

Early life and education

Peter Casey was born in Derry, Northern Ireland, and grew up in the Bogside area. He attended St. Columb's College in Derry for his secondary education. Following this, he pursued higher education at the University of Ulster, where he earned a degree in Business Studies. His early career included a stint working for the multinational corporation Diageo in London.

Business career

Casey's business career began in earnest with executive recruitment. He co-founded the recruitment firm Claddagh Resources in Atlanta, Georgia, focusing on the IT sector. The company experienced rapid growth, leading to its acquisition by the global professional services firm Aon in 2007. Following this exit, Casey became a well-known figure on the Irish business scene, joining the panel of investors on RTÉ's Dragon's Den. He has also served on the board of several organizations, including the national tourism authority Fáilte Ireland.

Political career

While not a career politician, Peter Casey entered the political arena as an independent candidate in the 2018 Irish presidential election. His campaign initially garnered little attention but was dramatically reshaped following a series of controversial statements. He positioned himself as a critic of the political establishment in Leinster House and focused on issues such as public sector pay and rural decline. Despite the controversies, his political foray resulted in a significant vote share.

2018 presidential campaign

Casey officially launched his campaign for the Áras an Uachtaráin in August 2018. His platform criticized the office's expenses and advocated for a more active presidency. The campaign's trajectory changed fundamentally after he made remarks questioning the ethnic status of the Traveller community and criticizing state support for them. These comments, condemned by rivals like Michael D. Higgins and Sinn Féin's Liadh Ní Riada, dominated media coverage. In a surprise result, Casey finished second, behind the incumbent Michael D. Higgins, securing over 23% of the first-preference vote.

Public image and controversies

Peter Casey's public image is largely defined by his blunt, business-oriented persona on Dragon's Den and the controversies of his presidential bid. His comments on the Traveller community were widely denounced by politicians, including Leo Varadkar and Mary Lou McDonald, and groups like the Irish Traveller Movement. He also faced criticism for remarks about Dublin being overrun with "panhandlers" and for his views on social welfare. These incidents cemented his reputation as a divisive and populist figure in Irish public life.

Personal life

Peter Casey is married to Helen Casey, and the couple has five children. After many years living and working in the United States, particularly in Atlanta and San Francisco, he returned to Ireland. He maintains a residence in Donegal and is known to be a supporter of Gaelic games. Outside of business and television, he has authored a book on his professional experiences and is involved in various charitable endeavors.

Category:1957 births Category:Living people Category:Irish businesspeople Category:Irish television personalities Category:Independent politicians in Ireland Category:Alumni of the University of Ulster Category:People from Derry