[citation needed] Just before the 1965 election, Gormley was seriously injured in a car accident in Carrickmacross.
Although he was elected, he remained in hospital until January the following year and eventually won an action against the driver of a lorry involved in the crash.
[citation needed] Despite his injuries, Gormley stood for Londonderry at the 1966 UK general election.
In 1966, Gormley spoke warmly of Prime Minister of Northern Ireland Terence O'Neill's overtures to nationalists.
[citation needed] His criticism of more radical nationalists at the start of The Troubles and his limited support for some of Stormont's actions lost him his seat at the 1969 election.