Born in Limerick, Diarmuid Scully was educated at St Patrick's Boys National School in the city and later CBS Sexton Street.
After leaving university, Scully worked for five years as a technical support supervisor with Sykes Enterprises at their offices in Shannon.
During his tenure as Mayor, Scully sought to open up the Council to the young people of Limerick, overseeing the establishment of the Young City Council, and becoming the first Limerick Mayor to produce a regular podcast.
Defeated in the local elections in 2014, he returned to the University of Limerick as a mature student.
Diarmuid Scully is married to Ruth (née Keevey) of Bruff, Co.