Born: 09 February 1921, Magerafelt, County Derry
Entered: 14 November 1939, St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, County Offaly

Left Society of Jesus: 11 December 1940

Father (a Donegal man) worked in the Department of Justice in Dublin and moved the family to Morehampton Road, Donnybrook, Dublin. Mother was a Roscommon woman.

Eighth in a family of 12, with six brothers (he is second youngest) and five sisters.

Early education was at St Mary’s Haddington Road, then went to Synge Street CBS at age 10. After school he went for one year to study Medicine at UCD.