Biography: Mr PJ Bradley MLA
Married to Leontia (née Martin), they have a grown up family of five daughters and three sons. P.J comes from a farming background in the Burren area of Co Down. He spent a large period of his earlier working life as an Agricultural Representative servicing the South Down and South Armagh Areas. In 1981 he established the family property and surveying business in Warrenpoint and qualified as a member of the Irish Auctioneers and Valuers Institute in 1986. He was elected an Honorary Fellow of the Institute in 2001.
When P.J. retained his Assembly seat in March 2007 it was his ninth consecutive electoral success. A widely experienced public representative, he was first elected to Newry and Mourne District Council in 1981. He was elected as First Citizen of Newry & Mourne’s 90.000 residents in 1992. He topped the poll in all six elections between 1981- 2001 and in 2001 he recorded the highest vote ever achieved by a candidate in statutory elections.
P.J.’s successful political campaigns include;
- Obtaining Free Travel for residents of the Six Counties when travelling to the Republic.
- The right of Six County citizens to apply in the North for an Irish Passport.
- The introduction of Sunday On-course betting thus allowing racing to be held in the North on Sundays.
- The introduction of an All Ireland Animal Health policy.
On the social and recreational side, he has devoted many years to the youth and community of his native area. P.J. has also been involved in a wide range of administrative roles including membership of the Youth Committee for Northern Ireland, the Down County GAA Board, South Down GAA Board and he has also served as Secretary of his own club St. Mary’s GFC Burren. He is recognised as being the founding member of ten varying community groups including his local Derrylecka Branch of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP). He also founded "The McAteer Clan" in 1993 and for some time now has been attempting to develop cultural and economic exchanges via a group that he founded "I.N.O.L.A." (Ireland New Orleans Louisiana)
In January 2000 SDLP Leader John Hume appointed him Party Spokesman for Agriculture & Rural Development. He is one of the ten-member Business Committee in the Assembly and he also serves as Deputy Whip of the SDLP Assembly Group. P.J. has been a life long campaigner for Civil Rights and for the Reunification of Ireland by peaceful and economic means. He is totally opposed to the use of Paramilitary violence for Political gain.
His interests outside politics include Irish Sport and Culture, The Irish Diaspora, local history, travel and listening to the radio.