Waterside woman Bridget Meehan has been chosen by Sinn Fein to replace long-serving Lynn Fleming on Derry City Council.
Outgoing Lynn Fleming (left) congratulates her successor Bridget Meehan. Included are Waterside candidates, Chris Jackson (left) and Paul Fleming.
Cllr Meehan, married with one child, was co-opted on to the council to represent the Waterside constituency at a Sinn Fein convention held in the party’s office at Bligh’s Lane in Creggan this afternoon.
Also at the convention, Sinn Fein selected 21 candidates from Derry and Strabane to for next year’s local elections.
It was the first time candidates from both council areas were chosen together.
Speaking after her co-option, Cllr Meehan said she would work for all the people of the constituency.
Cllr Meehan, a full-time SF party worker, also paid tribute to her successor.
She said: “I am privileged to be asked to go to Derry City Council and I hope to continue the excellent work carried out by Lynn. I will intend to do my best for all the constituents, whether they are Sinn Fein voters or not.”
Sinn Fein currently occupies 10 of the 30 seats across five wards (Cityside, Northland, Rural, Shantallow and Waterside) on Derry City Council. The SDLP is the largest party with 14 councillors, the DUP five and UPP one.
Sinn Fein’s current councillors are:
Cityside (comprising Beechwood, Brandywell, Creggan Central, Creggan South, Westland) – Colly Kelly, Kevin Campbell, Patricia Logue
Northland (comprising Crevagh, Foyle Springs, Pennyburn, Rosemount, Springtown, Strand and The Diamond) – Michael Cooper, Barney O’Hagan, Eric McGinley,
Rural (comprising Banagher, Claudy, Eglinton, Enagh, Hollymount, Newbuildings) – Paul Fleming.
Shantallow (comprising Ballynashallog, Carnhill, Culmore, Shantallow East, Shantallow West) – Tony Hassan, Elisha McCallion.
Waterside (comprising Altnagelvin, Caw, Clondermot, Ebrington, Kilfennan, Lisnagelvin and Victoria) – Brigid Meehan.
Sinn Fein holds the top two positions of chairperson and vice-chairperson on Strabane District Council and is the largest party in the three-ward (Derg, Glenelly, Mourne) 16-member local authority. The DUP has four representatives, Independents two and the SDLP and UUP one each.
Sinn Fein’s current councillors are:
Mourne – Brian McMahon, Jay McCauley, Karina Carlin.
Derg – Ruairi McHugh (chairperson), Maoliosa McHugh, Kieran McGuire.
Glenelly – Michelle McMackin (vice-chairperson)
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