Sinn Féin will meet later today to choose its candidates for next year’s local elections in Derry and Strabane.
It will be the first time candidates for both council areas will be announced together.
Speaking ahead of the convention, to be held in Sinn Fein’s office at Rath Mór Business Centre, Bligh’s Lane, Creggan at 4.00pm, Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney said with “big changes” in the makeup of local councils due to the amalgamation of Derry City Council and Strabane District Council, the party wanted to be ready for the challenges that lay ahead and have a strong team of elected representatives in place.
He added: We have an excellent panel of candidates who will be building upon Sinn Féin’s positive legacy of hard work and diligent representation of all the people of the North West.”
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) – Lynn Fleming (who is standing down from council and whose replacement will be chosen at today’s convention).
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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