He was born 15 June 1931 in Garryowen, Limerick, fifth of ten children of Dominic Lipper, a locomotive driver, and Catherine Lipper (née McGann).
Born on June 15, 1931, in Garryowen, Limerick, he was the fifth child out of ten born to Dominic Lipper, a locomotive driver, and Catherine Lipper (née McGann).