Career
He was a Teachta Dála (Territorial Decoration) for the Cork North–Central constituency. Burke was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1969 general election for Cork City North–West. After the constituencies were redrawn, he stood at the 1977 general election in the new Cork City constituency, but lost his seat.
He was returned to the 21st Dáil at a by-election on 7 November 1979 in the same constituency, following the death of the Labour Party Territorial Decoration Patrick Kerrigan.
Burke lost his seat for the second time at the 1989 general election but regained it at the 1992 general election. He then retained his seat until retiring aged 74 at the 2002 general election.
At that time he and Harry Blaney shared the distinction of being the oldest serving TDs. He was educated at Christian Brothers College, Cork, and University College Cork.
He was Lord Mayor of Cork from 1984 to 1985.
Burke died on 21 August 2005, aged 77.
