Lipper, Michael (‘Mick’) (1931–87), politician and footballer, was born 15 June 1931 in Garryowen, Co. Limerick, fifth of ten children of Dominic Lipper, locomotive driver, and Catherine Lipper (née McGann). Educated at CBS Sexton St., Limerick, and Limerick vocational school, he became a locomotive driver with CIÉ, before entering local politics in 1960 when he was elected to Limerick city council, a position he held until he was defeated in 1985, and which included a term as mayor of Limerick (June 1973–June 1974). He was also a member of the mid-western health board, Limerick vocational education committee, the general council of county councils, and the association of municipal authorities of Ireland, and served as chairman of the Limerick CIÉ branch of the ITGWU.
Unsuccessful in the 1968 Limerick East by-election, in which he stood as a Labour candidate, he was also unsuccessful in the general elections of 1969 and 1973. The decision of the Labour party not to nominate him as Stephen Coughlan's (qv) running mate for the 1977 general election led to a split in the Labour party organisation in East Limerick. As a result of a petition urging him to stand in the election, gathered by his supporters, and signed by the Roman Catholic bishop of Limerick, Jeremiah Newman (qv), Lipper decided to stand as an independent labour candidate, and was subsequently elected, taking the seat previously held for Labour by Stephen Coughlan. In October 1977 he rejoined the Labour parliamentary party. Relations between Lipper and Coughlan deteriorated and in 1981 Coughlan brought an unsuccessful case against Lipper, alleging assault and use of threatening language. Lipper lost his seat in Dáil Éireann to Jim Kemmy (qv) at the 1981 general election, and after unsuccessfully contesting the February 1982 general election he did not seek reelection.
As mayor of Limerick in 1973 Lipper drove the train that brought the Limerick hurling team to Croke Park for their successful appearance in the all-Ireland hurling final. An accomplished sportsman, he played soccer for a number of League of Ireland clubs including Limerick FC, Sligo Rovers, Drumcondra, Waterford, and Transport, played on a number of League of Ireland representative sides, and also played rugby for Richmond.
He married (24 April 1953) Margaret (‘Peggy’), daughter of Joseph McKeown, carpenter, and Anne McKeown (née O'Doherty); they had three sons and three daughters, and lived at Greenhill Road, Garryowen, where he died 19 October 1987.