Peter Casey

The first major contract secured by The Trinity Group, a company founded by Peter Casey in 1985, became the largest staffing agreement ever awarded in New South Wales at that time. This early success established a professional trajectory that led Casey from a sales career at Rank Xerox to becoming a prominent entrepreneur and political candidate in Ireland.

Early Career and International Expansion

Born in Derry on 9 October 1957, Peter Joseph Casey grew up as one of nine children. His parents, Patsy and Leo, were school staff, and he eventually attended Aston University in Birmingham to study business administration, politics, and economics. His career began in 1979 at Rank Xerox UK, where he earned a national sales award. After relocating to Sydney in 1981, he became a top-ranked sales executive and a district manager for Rank Xerox, before serving as state manager for Océ Reprographics. In 1985, he launched his own IT contracting firm, The Trinity Group, which he operated until 1992.

Global Executive Recruitment

After a brief return to Ireland, Casey relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where he founded Network Resources. By 1996, the firm was rebranded as Claddagh Resources. The company specializes in global executive search, placing high-level candidates for multinational corporations including IBM, Oracle, SAP, Tata Consultancy Services, Coca-Cola, and EY. In 2000, the firm opened its European headquarters in County Donegal. Irish America Magazine recognized his contributions to business by naming him among the leading Irish American businessmen of 2007.

Television and Public Life

Casey gained wider public visibility as an investor on the fifth and sixth series of the Irish version of Dragons' Den between 2012 and 2014. Following his television tenure, he entered the political arena. He ran for the Industrial and Commercial Panel in the 2016 Seanad Éireann election, receiving 14 votes. In 2018, he secured nominations from four local authorities to contest the Irish presidential election. During that campaign, he garnered 23.3 percent of the vote, finishing in second place behind the incumbent, Michael D. Higgins. He subsequently sought to contest the 2019 European Parliament elections in the Midlands–North-West constituency.

Political Controversy and Campaigning

The 2018 presidential campaign was marked by public criticism regarding his comments on Irish Travellers and social housing in Thurles, County Tipperary. Despite calls from political opponents and activist groups to withdraw from the race, Casey remained a candidate, later arguing that the national welfare system had created an unsustainable sense of entitlement. He eventually moved his residence to Greencastle, County Donegal in 2016.

Fast facts

• Born: 9 October 1957, Derry
• Citizenship: Ireland
• Education: Aston University
• Primary Business: Claddagh Resources
• 2018 Presidential Election Result: Second place (23.3%)
• Notable TV appearance: Dragons' Den (2012-2014)
• Residence: Greencastle, County Donegal

Questions readers ask

What is Peter Casey's professional background?

He is an entrepreneur and businessperson who founded the global recruitment firm Claddagh Resources and previously worked in sales management for Rank Xerox and Océ Reprographics.

Did Peter Casey hold political office?

No. While he has run for the Seanad, the presidency, and the European Parliament, he has not been elected to a political office.

Achievements

• Educated at Aston University