Tuite was born into a staunchly republican family in Mountnugent, County Cavan,'Quinlivan feared an unfair trial, says relative', The Irish Times Monday 18 July Monday 1991; "Irish Times Reporters", 'Quiet Heir to Legacy of Violence' The Irish Times, Wednesday 14 July 1982 one of the nine sons and two daughters born to Michael Tuite, a small farmer, and Jane (née Dermody) Tuite.
