Niall is married with 5 children and lives in Ros Ard on the Cappagh Road in Knocknacarra. He was elected to Galway City Council for the first time in 2004 and has proudly represented his local community ever since. He served as Mayor of Galway City from 2006 to 2007 attending over 1,000 individual engagements.

Niall has twice stood for election to Dáil Éireann in the Galway West constituency, collecting 3,775 votes in 2002 and 4,332 votes in 2007. He was elected to Seanad Éireann in a bye-election on the 14 December 2009, and is currently the Green Party spokesperson for Health and Children.

His professional background includes 16 years working as a systems and business analyst. He also started two businesses, wrote a newspaper column and worked as an events manager. He was the author of Ireland’s first commercial video game in the early 80’s. In more recent times, he was one of the first Irish politicians to use Facebook.

Niall has strong roots in the community sector. He was one of the founder members of Galway City Community Forum and the founder of Galway Environmental Alliance. He has chaired Galway City’s Environment Strategic Policy Committee, the LTACC and the Natural Environment and Waterways Committee. He is on the boards of Leisureland, Galway Circus Project, Youthwork Ireland and Galway Civic Trust.

Niall is a keen sports enthusiast, enjoying everything from windsurfing to five a side football. He is an avid supporter of the Arts and has some minor musical and literary talents.